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His  Excellency   the   governor 


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HIS  EXCELLENCY 

THE    GOVERNOR 


A   FARCICAL   ROMANCE 
In   T]iree  Acts 


By  R.    MARSHALL 


All  rights  reserved  under  tJu  Ititermztional  CopyriglU  Act . 
Performance  forbidden,  and  right  of  representation  reserved. 
A  pplication  for  the  right  of  performing  the  above  piece  must 
be  made  to  A  If.  Hay  man,  Etnptre   Theatre,  Ne'M  York. 


BOSTON :    WALTER  H.    BAKER  £-    CO. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY  TBE    GOVERNOR. 


Copyright,  1901,  by  R.  Marshall. 

All  rights  reserved. 

PLEASE    READ    CAREFULLY. 

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any  infringements  of  his  rights,  as  follows:  — 

"  Sfc.  4966  :  —  Any  person  publicly  ptrrfoiniini;  or  representinK  any  flra- 
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or  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  he  liable  for  damages  therefor,  such  damages 
in  all  cases  to  be  assessed  at  such  jum,  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars 
for  the  first  and  lifty  dollars  for  every  subsequent  performance,  as  to  the 
court  shall  appear  to  be  just.  If  the  unlawful  performance  and  representa- 
tion be  wilful  and  for  profit,  such  person  or  persons  shall  be  guilty  of  a  mis- 
demeanor, and  upon  conviction  be  imprisoned  for  a  period  not  exceeding 
one  year."  —  U.  S.  Revised  Stati'iks,   Title  60,  Chap.  j. 


Stanbope  press 
F.  H.  GiLsoN  Company 

BOSTON,  u.  s.  A. 


n 

A3i,3 


LIBRARY 

UNHT^RSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
SANTA  BARBARA 


CHARACTERS 


His    Excellency    Sir   Montagu    Martin,   G. C.S.I. 

(Governor  of  the  Amancialand  Islands). 
The  Right  Honourable  Henry  Carlton,  M.P. 
Captain  Charles  Carew,  A.D.C.  (On  His  Excellency's 

Staff). 
Mr.  John  Baverstock  (Private  Secretary). 

Captain  Rivers  [  ^^^  ^,^^  ^jj^j^^^  Fusiliers). 
Major  Kildare  ) 

A  Clerk. 

A  Sentry. 

A  Butler. 

A  Footman. 

Mrs.  Wentworth  Bolingbroke. 

Ethel  Carlton. 

Stella  de  Gex. 


SCENE.  —  The   Vestibule  of  Government  House, 
Amandaland  Islatids,  Indian  Ocean, 

TIME.  —  Today. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY  THE  GOVERNOR 


THE    FIRST   ACT 

Scene : —  The  Vestilmle  of  Government  House,  Aman- 
da/and  Js/ands,  Indian  Ocean.  Beyond,  a  sea- 
view  of  picturesque  bay  in  strong  sunlight,  with 
tropical  vegetation  in  foreground.  Verandah  and 
path  at  back  of  stage,  with  fowering  shrubs  and 
a  Sentry-box.  A  large  open  doo7'way  leads  f?-om 
the  verandah  to  the  stage,  which  forjns  a  spacious 
apartment,  beautifully  furnished  in  Indian  fash- 
ion. There  is  an  alcove  with  writing-table,  which 
can  be  shut  ofp  by  curtains.  There  are  folding- 
doors  on  either  side.  large  open  windows  look 
on  to  the  Bay.  Wicker  chairs,  stafiding  lamps, 
palms,  grasses,  fo7C'ers,  tiger-skins,  c>-c.,  are 
grouped  about  stage,  llie  bells  and  lamps  arc 
electric,  and  on  the  wall  to  the  right  is  a  telephone. 


2  Ills  KXCKLLKXCY    TJU:    GOVJiKXOR 

As  the  curtain  rises  a  Bl  ri.ER  and  1'ootman  are 
supcrinicniiing  a  table  laid  for  breakfast.  A 
Sentry  is  on  his  beat  at  back,  passing  to  and  fro, 
occasionally  standing  at  ease  in  front  of  his  box. 
Captain  Carew  enters.  He  is  a  good-looking 
fnan  of  twenty-seven  in  the  undress  uniform  of  an 
A.D.C.  Baverstock,  a  close-shaven,  taciturn- 
looking,  red-haired  }na?i  of  thirty,  in  a  grey  frock- 
coat  suit,  is  writing  at  table  in  alcove.  He  comes 
down  with  papers  in  his  hand  as  Carew  speaks.. 

Carew. 

\^Gaily.'\  By  Jove,  what  a  magnificent  morning! 
A  heavy  dew  has  fallen,  the  air  is  soft,  and  there's 
a  perfect  orchestra  of  piping  birds  in  the  trees.  It's 
glorious  1    One  never  gets  a  day  like  this  in  England. 

Baverstock. 

[^Morosely ,  and  touching  an  electric  bell.'\  Thank 
heaven,  one  doesn't.  As  for  tropical  orchestras,  I 
prefer  a  German  band  on  a  wet  night  in  London. 

Carew. 

Oh,  come,  cheer  up  1  Remember,  to-day  heralds 
the  advent  of  two  ladies  from  England, 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    COJEKXOJi  3 

Baver^xock. 
I  resent  that.  I  resent  the  presence  of  women  in 
any  official  building.  \^A  Clerk  enters  and  Baver- 
STOCK  hands  him  desj>aiches.'\  These  despatches  are 
for  His  Excellency's  signature.  They  are  to  be 
marked  "  Confidential  "  and  forwarded  to  Downing 
Street  by  the  English  mail. 

Clerk. 
Yes,  sir.  [^^v/7. 

Butler. 

\_To  Carew.j     Breakfast  is  on  the  table,  sir. 

Carew, 
Right !  \_To  Baverstock.]  Surely,  my  dear  fel- 
low, if  a  member  of  the  English  Cabinet  —  espe- 
cially the  INIinister  to  whom  we  are  respoubible — • 
chooses  to  visit  the  Islands,  you  don't  grudge  his 
being  accompanied  by  his  sister  and  daughter  ? 

Baverstock. 
I  do.     Women    have    no    official    existence  —  or 
only    confidentially.     I    go    farther.      I    resent    any 
Right  Honourable  gentleman  presuming  to  visit  us. 

Carew. 
Why  ? 


4  JUS  EXChLLl.XCV    THE    OOl'LRXOR 

Baverstock. 

Why  ?  Because  it  iiiiplics  that  we  don't  know  our 
work,  that  we  require  his  personal  scrutiny.  I  pre- 
sume that  sort  of  ofiPicial  is  termed  "  Right  Honoui- 
able  "  because  it  is  so  necessary  to  emphasise  the 
fact. 

Carkav, 

But,  my  g(iod  fellow,  he's  not  coming  in  his  min- 
isterial capacity.     He's  yachting  for  his  health. 

]iAVERS'rOCK. 

So  he  says.  Believe  me,  he  comes  as  a  sort  of 
political  Paul  Pry. 

("arkw. 

Then  I  say  let  him  come.  He"]l  find  the  Islands 
as  trim  as  a  new  painted  gunboat.  Why,  there's 
never  been  such  a  popular  Governor  as  Sir  Mon- 
tagu. The  Islands  were  never  so  prosperous  as 
now.  I'm  an  admirable  A.D.C.,  and  you're  suffi- 
ciently depressing  as  Private  Secretary. 

Baverstock. 

Suppose  this  tlireatened  rising  of  the  natives 
comes  off  ?     The  outlook's  black  enough. 


HIS   EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERXOR  5 

Carew. 
Naturally,  as  it  concerns  niggers. 

Enter  Butler. 

Butler. 
The  English  mail  is  in  the  harbour,  sir,  and  Mr. 
Carlton's  yacht,  The  Butto-fly,  is  at  anchor  in  the 
bay.     She  came  in  late  last  night,  sir. 

Carew. 

Why,  then  they  may  be  here  at  any  hour  ?     Rooms 
are  prepared  for  Mr.  Carlton  and  the  ladies  ? 

Butler. 
Everything's  ready,  sir. 

Carew. 
Good.  [Butler  retires,  and  Footman  enters  and 
remains  waiting  by  doorsl\  We  ought  to  hiury  up 
with  breakfast.  \A  voice  is  heard  without,  singing 
"  Come  into  the  garden,  Matid^^  Ah  !  here  comes 
His  Excellency. 

Enter  Sir  Montagu  Martin,  a  smart,  good-looking 
man  0/  forty,  carrying  a  targe  bunch  of  roses  in 
his  hand.      As  he  /lasses,   the  Sentry  /resents 


6  HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

arms,  SiR  Montagu  affably  acknowledging  the 
salute. 

Sir  Montagu. 
\Genially?\     Good  morning,  gentlemen.     So   The 
Butterfly  is  in,  and  the  mail  ;   and   here's  breakfast. 
( 'apital !     Glorious  morning  —  lovely  roses  1     \Sits 
(hnvn?\     Now  then,  what  is  there  ? 

BUTI.IR. 

\Po7upously?^     Grilled   soles,  omelette  and  mush- 
rooms, your  Excellency. 

Sir  MoN'i'A(;u. 
Ah  !  Thank  you  ;  you  needn't  wait.  \Exeunt 
Butlp:r  and  Footman.]  I've  had  a  line  from  Carlton. 
He  hopes  I  won't  trouble  to  meet  him  on  landing, 
as  the  hour  is  uncertain.  [^E.\at?iining  tabic  closely.'] 
Where  on  earth  has  all  this  yellow  dust  come  from  ? 

Carew. 

I    believe    its    from    the    century  aloes  that  are 
flowering  outside. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Ah  I    to   be    sure.       You    know    the    legend    the 
islanders   have  ? 


HIS  EXCKLLE\CV    J  III:     GOrEA'.VOK  7 

Carew. 
No,  sir. 

Sir  Montagu. 
These  particular  aloes  flower  only  once  in  a  hun- 
dred years,  and  the  yarn  goes  that  in  dying  of  love 
of  their  own  consummation,  the  yellow  dust  of  their 
blossom  is  blown  about  and  causes  an  epidemic  of 
love  wherever  it  rests.  They  say  it  attacks  one 
quite  suddenly.      Quaint  idea,  isn't  it  ? 

Baverstock. 
It's  a  comfort  it's  only  an  idea. 

Carew. 

Love  itself  is  only  an  idea,  my  dear  fellow,  but  a 
very  charming  one. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Well,  well  !  at  last  Government  House  is  to  be 
honoured   by  the  presence  of  two,  no  doubt,  fresh 
and  charming  English  ladies.     Ah,  Baverstock  I     I 
see  a  twinkle  in  your  eye. 

Baverstock. 
Really,  sir?     I  wasn't  aware  of  it.     And  I  don't 
imagine  the  elder  lady  can  be  exactly  "fresh."    She 
mny  be  well  preserved. 


8  HIS   EXCELLEACY    77/E    CO]'ERA'OR 

Sir  Montagu. 
All  your  arrangements  complete,  Carew  ? 

Carew. 
Quite,  I  think,  sir. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\To  Baverstock.]  You've  seen  to  Mr.  Carlton's 
study  —  given  him  something  to  read  —  journals, 
papers,  and  so  on  ? 

Baverstock. 

He's  got  all  last  year's  bluebooks  and  a  waste- 
paper  basket. 

Sir  Montagu. 

That's  right.  By  the  way,  there's  one  little  matter. 
When  you  both  joined  my  staff  it  was  understood, 
you  know,  that  there  was  to  be  no  question  of  either 
of  you  getting  married,  or  even  engaged.  Eh,  Baver- 
stock ? 

Baverstock. 

Personally,  sir,  as  you  know,  I  avoid  women  ; 
although,  if  only  from  the  fact  of  my  own  existence, 
I  gathi-r  that  they  are  necessary. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR  9 

Carew. 
And  I  am  strong  in  that  I  love  them  all. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Quite  so,  my  dear  Carew ;  but  the  only  emotion 
suitable  for  official  folk,  such  as  we  are,  is  a  purely 
platonic  friendship.  The  official  in  love  is  an  offence 
against  official  decency.  Ye  cannot  serve  the  State 
and  woman. 

Baverstock. 

For  either  ye  will  cling  to 


Sir  Montagu. 

Yes,  precisely.  Of  course,  in  your  treatment  of 
our  guests  I  wish  you  to  be  pleasant,  genial,  even 
amusing,  if  —  \glancing  at  Baverstock]  —  if  that  is 
possible.  But  nothing  more.  For  myself,  I  never 
contemplate  matrimony.  I  am  wrapped  in  my  duty 
to  the  State,  and  were  a  woman  to  unwrap  me  I 
should  die  of  an  official  chill.  There's  only  one  other 
point  I  need  touch  on.  Mr.  Carlton,  the  Colonial 
Secretary,  is  an  extremely  important  personage,  who, 
duly  cultivated,  may  be  of  the  greatest  use  to  us  in 
the  future,  particularly  to  me.  It  is  our  duty,  there- 
fore, to  cultivate  him. 


lo         JUS   KXCr-J I.EjXCY    T//K    GOl'KKAOR 

Carew. 
liut  not  his  daughter  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
His  daughter  —  within  platonic  Hmits.  I  wish  you 
to  appear  conversant  with  the  interests  of  the  Islands. 
Be  accurate  as  to  facts.  For  instance,  Baverstock,  if 
you  remember,  in  your  despatch  to  Downing  Street 
on  the  last  census  you  reported  that  there  were  half 
a  million  white  inhabitants  and  twentj^-five  thousand 
natives,  whereas  the  numbers  were  really  vice  versa, 
and  the  Home  Authorities  naturally  wanted  to  know 
to  what  cause  was  due  the  enormous  and  sudden 
multiplication  of  the  whites. 

Baverstock. 
A  mere  slip,  sir;  a  mere  slip. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Unfortunately,  it  was  I  who  signed  the  despatch. 

Baverstock. 

Yes.     That's  the  only  time  I've  laughed  since  I 
left  England. 

Carew. 

It  was  very  funny,  sir. 


HIS  EXCKLLEXCY    TIIK    GOVERXOR  ii 

Sir  Montagu. 

Yes,  wasn't  it  ?  \_An  laugh  heartily.  TJien  Sir 
Montagu  suddenly  becomes  grave ^  Still,  it  oughtn't 
to  have  happened.  \Rises  and  lights  cigarette.  Others 
rise.  Butler  and  Footman  enter  and  remove  the 
breakfast-table.']  What  I  mean  is,  if  Carlton  asks  you 
pertinent  questions,  be  guarded  in  your  answers. 
You  grasp  my  meaning? 

Baverstock. 

Quite,  sir.  I  have  to  ensure  that  he  doesn't  grasp 
mine. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Exactly.  The  true  public  official  should  be  a  sort 
of  mental  acrobat.  You've  heard  no  further  rumours 
of  the  natives  rising  ? 

Carew. 

None,  sir. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Their  reception  of  the  new  marriage  laws  is  my 
only  difficulty.  You  see,  it's  an  innovation,  and 
innovation  is  the  yeast  by  which  risings  are  bred. 
Come  along,  Baverstock. 

\_Exit  L.,  foUo7ved  by  Baverstock. 


12         I/IS  J-.XCKI.I.EXCY   TI/E    GOVEKXOR 

Carew, 

\Left  alone.']  As  if  we  wanted  to  marry  !  [Laughs 
and  looks  at  himself  in  hand-mirror,  tuiisting  inous- 
iache  and  whistling  the  "  British  Grenadier s^]  And  as 
if  the  arrival  of  a  girl  and  her  aunt  could  affect  us  ! 
[Laughs  again,  stretching  himself.  Pulls  his  coat  into 
shape,  shoots  his  cuffs,  arranges  his  tie  and  ^av/.] 

A  ricksha7i<,  draion  by  a  Native,  apj>ears  on 
the  path,  stopping  at  the  entrance.  Stella 
DE  Gkx  steps  out  of  it.  She  is  a  pretty, 
piquant  jcoman  of  twenty-eight,  7<ery  viva- 
cious, and  dressed  in  the  height  of  French 
fashion.     She  looks  a  trifle  "  made  up.'''' 

Stella. 

[Opening  purse  and  speaking  to  Native.]  How 
much  ?     [Native  holds  up  two  fingers?^     Two  what  ? 


Rupees. 


Native. 


Stella. 


[To  Sentry.]     That  seems  a  great  deal,  sentry, 
doesn't  it  ? 

Sentry. 

I  ain't  allowed  to  talk,  Miss. 


HIS  EXCEI.J.E.WY    J' HE    OOl'ERXOR  13 

Stella, 

So  sorry  I  \Giving  vuniey  to  Native.]  Then  here 
are  two  rupees.  So  go  away,  like  a  good  black 
man.  \^Exit^KT\y!^'with  7■icksha^v^^  Now,  do  I  ring 
the  bell .-'  Yes,  I  know  you  can't  talk,  but  you  might 
nod,  mightn't  you  ?  [Sextry  7/^(/j-.]  Thank  you  so 
much.  [^Rings  bclIP^  Such  a  nice  uniform  you've  got. 
\^Y.^T'^\  smiles  and  shoulders  arms^  Oh!  you're  going 
to  walk,  are  you  ?  Quite  a  nice  morning  for  a  little 
stroll,  isn't  it?  \_As  Sentry  walks  of.]  Good  morn- 
ing. \_£/ifer  FooTiSLAX  7C'///i  silver  tray.  He  goes  to 
doorway  where  Stella  is.\  Will  you  kindly  present 
my  card  to  his  Excellency  ? 

F00T^L\X. 

[Taking  card  on  trayP^  Yes,  ma'am. 

Stella. 
One  moment.     I'm  not  quite  sure  of  his  name. 

FOOTMAX. 

Sir  Montagu  Martin,  ma'am. 

SlELLA. 

[Amazed.l    Mont !       Sir     Montagu     M.irtin  ! 


M         If'S   KXCEIJ.EXCV    THE    GOl'ERXOK 

[^Recovering.']  Really?  Dear  me!  [^jc//  Foot- 
man.] Montagu  Martin  I  Surely  it  can't  be  Monty 
— dear  old  "  Mumps,"  as  we  used  to  call  him ! 
What  a  very  odd  thing  ! 

Sir  Montaou  enhrs  hurriedly,  as  if  fit-  had  forgotten 
so}?ie  thing. 

Sir  Montagu. 
By  the  way,  (^arew [StoJ^s  dead,  seeing  Stella, 

Stklla. 
Monty  ! 

Sir  Montagu. 

Stella  !     You  —  here  I 

Stklla. 
[Pleadingly.']   Mumps  ! 

Sir  Montagu. 
You're  not  to  call  me  Mumps.    I  —  I  won't  have  it. 

Stella. 
[Demurely.]  I'm  so  sorry,  Montagu. 

Sir  Montagu.  • 
What  on  earth  has  brought  you  here  ?     When  did 
you  come  ? 


J 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GO  VERA  OK  15 

Stella. 

Only  this  morning.  I've  just  arrived  by  the 
English  mail.  You  see,  Fm  starring  round  India 
and  Australia  with  the  "  Recherche  Concert  Com- 
pany," and  we're  giving  a  performance  e?i  route.  So 
I  came  to  ask  for  the  Governor's  patronage,  .never 
dreaming  that  you  were  he.  \Looks  round.']  Such  a 
nice  house  !  \_She  looks  about. 

Sir  Montagu. 

You  mean  to  tell  me  you  have  joined  a  music-hall 
company  ? 

Stella. 

Well,  yes  ;  but  such  a  very  refined  one.  Nothing 
short  of  medium  skirts,  you  know.  You  don't  seem 
quite  pleased  to  see  me,  and  yet  —  [sig/u?ig\  —  we're 
cousins. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Yes,  yes,  I  know  ;  very  distant  ones.  What  is 
your  stage-name  ? 

Stella. 

Stella  — that's  all.  I'm  professionally  known  and 
advertised  as  "  The  Evening  Star."    Prettv  idea,  isn't 


1 6        JUS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

it  ?     Looks  so  well  on  programmes  —  "  Vocal  Selec- 
tions by  Stella,  the  Evening  Star," 

Sir  Montagu. 

Yes.  \^Suddenly?^  I'm  particularly  busy  to-day. 
Good  morning. 

Stella. 

Just  one  moment.  This  is  Monday,  we  perform  on 
Wednesday,  and  sail  on  Thursday.  A  delightful 
scheme  has  occurred  to  me.  Shall  I  be  your  guest  for 
the  three  days  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

My  good  woman,  I'm  a  bachelor.  It's  quite  im- 
possible. W'ere  I  to  invite  you  here,  people  would  — 
er  —  misunderstand  me. 

Stella. 

Dear  mc  !  Your  reputation  must  be  rickety.  But. 
don't  you  see,  no  one  need  know  my  real  vocation. 
Then,  as  to  name  —  father,  you  know,  though  he 
dropped  the  title  in  England,  was  really  the  Comte 
de  Gex. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Yes,  he  said  he  was. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR  17 

Stella. 

Well,  that's  the  same  thing  in  France.  So,  you 
see,  I  style  myself  Comtesse  de  Gex  in  private  life, 
if  —  if  necessary. 

Sir  Montagu. 
I'm  afraid  people  here  wouldn't  swallow  that. 

Stella, 

I  think  they  would.  I'm  very  easily  digested. 
Come,  Montagu,  you  haven't  forgotten  the  old  de- 
lightful days  in  Paris  ?  And  then  again  at  Brighton, 
when  you 

Sir  Montagu. 

Yes,  never  mind.  You  hadn't  become  a  variety 
artist  then,  and  I  had  no  official  standing.  Really, 
you  must  go  away.  Mr.  Carlton  with  his  daughter 
and  sister  arrive  to-day  on  a  visit,  and  may  be  here 
at  any  moment. 

Stella. 

What,  the  Colonial  Secretary  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Yes. 


1 8         HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Stella. 

[^Placing  her  parasol  on  table  and  faking  off  her 
gloves.']  That  decides  me.  r\'e  an  insatiable  craving 
for  the  society  of  distinguished  people.  I  insist  on 
being  your  guest.  No,  I  Avon't  hear  a  word  1  I'll 
stay  till  Wednesday  evening,  then  slip  away  in  time 
to  perform,  and  on  Thursday  the  livening  Star  will 
fade  from  your  horizon  without  a  soul  being  a  penny 
the  wiser.  There  1  \_Slie  is  leaning  over  the  sofa  on 
which  he  is  seated?^ 

Carew  enters. 
Carew. 
I  beg  your  pardon. 

Sir  Montagu. 

[Rising  awkwardly.']  I'll  —  I'll  be  with  you  pre- 
sently. 

Stella. 

\_To  Carew.]  One  moment!  [To  Sir  Montagu.] 
Sir  Montagu,  present  the  good-looking  young  man  ! 

Sir  Montagu. 

[Annoyed.]  Of  course  —  yes  —  er  —  my  aide-de- 
camp, Captain  Carew. 


JUS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVEKXOK  19 

Stella. 

So  pleased.  \_Gocs  to  him  and  shakes  hands,'\ 
How  dyou  do?  I've  just  arrived  by  mail  from 
England. 

Carew. 
Really  ?     On  pleasure  ? 

Stella. 

Yes.  I'm  on  tour.  [Sir  Montagu  coughs  ivarn- 
"^gh'^  Montagu  —  \explaining  to  Carew]  —  we're 
cousins,  you  know  — you've  omitted  my  name. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Er  —  the  Comtesse  de  Gex. 

Stella. 

Sir  Montagu  has  most  kindly  insisted  on  my  stay- 
ing here.  He  said  for  a  month ;  but  really  I  must 
be  off  on  Thursday.  Now.  do  give  me  a  nice  bright 
room  with  a  southern  prospect.  I  dislike  exposure 
of  any  sort. 

Carew. 

A  southern  prospect  gives  you  the  hot  wind. 


:o         If  IS  liXCELLEXCY    THE    CU  VENA  OR 

Stella. 

Oh  I  but  I  revel  in  heat.  You  remember,  Montagu, 
how  we  enjoyed 

Sir  Montagu. 
Yes,  yes,  I  remember. 

Stella. 

\_To  Carew.]  The  Riviera,  you  know.  It's  very 
good  of  you,  looking  after  me  so  thoughtfully.  I'm 
so  helpless,  you  know.  Such  a  nice  uniform.  I 
remember  I  once  w^ore  — 

Sir  Montagu. 

( )ne  moment  I  You  must  be  warm,  Comtesse. 
Shall  I  get  you  tea  —  coffee  ? 

Stella. 
So  good  of  you.     But  really  I'm  quite  cool. 

Carew. 

[Frot/iicin};  a  (-art/.']  This  card  was  brought  me, 
sir.  A  lady  to  see  you.  It's  somewhat  vague. 
"  Mdlle.   Stella,  the   Evening  Star." 


HIS  EXCILLLEXCY    THE    GOVEKXOK  21 

Stella. 

\_Risesi\  How  x^rx  odd  !  \Takes  card  from 
Carew.]  She  v,as  a  delightful  creature  who  came 
out  with  us.  Ah  !  I  see.  She  gave  me  her  card  on 
leaving  the  ship,  and  I've  stupidly  used  it  instead  of 
my  own.  What  a  charming  sobriquet !  "  The 
Evening  Star."     You  would  admire  her,  Montagu. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\^MoodiI}\~\  On  the  contrary,  I  shall  endeavour  to 
avoid  her. 

Stella. 

Wicked  man  1  And  she's  really  such  a  fascinat- 
ing little  woman.  You  ought  to  meet  her.  A  pretty 
idea  —  the  meeting  of  the  Evening  Star  and  the 
Young  Knight.  [^Looking  at  alcove^  Ah  !  there's 
a  writing-table.  I'll  send  a  line  for  my  goods  and 
chattels.     ^May  I  ? 

Carew. 
By  all  means. 

Stella. 

Thalhk  you  so  much.  One  must  have  prett\- 
frocks,  even  in  the  tropics,  mustn't  one  ? 

\^Rctir(S  fo  a/tVTC  1..  a/id  icritcs. 


22         JUS   EXCELLENCY    TLfE    GOVEKNOK 

Carew. 
I  had  no  idea,  sir,  that  you  had  foreign  relatives. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Oh  yes,  quite  a  number.  So  many,  that  I  didn't 
recall  her  at  first. 

Carew. 

She's  not  the  sort  of  person  one  would  forget. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\Taking  his  arm.]  No,  she  isn't,  is  she  ?  My  dear 
Carew,  she's  thrust  herself  upon  me.  She's  a  dis- 
tant relative,  and  I  can't  deny  her  hospitality.  But 
I  do  trust  you'll  keep  her  out  of  the  way.  You 
must  arrange  about  a  room,  and  so  on.  The  one  at 
the  top  of  the  tower  would  be  suitable,  eh  ? 

Carew. 
It's  rather  a  dull  sort  of  place. 

Sir  Montagu. 
She'll  alter  all  that  —  on  my  honour  she  will  I 

[T//(y  7etite  to  -(Craiulah  aiul  pass  out  of  sight. 


If  IS  EXCEIJJ'.XCY    TIIK    COI'EA'XON  23 

Baverstock  enters  wiiJi  an  armful  of  papers.  He 
goes  to  his  table  in  the  a/ari'e,  and  stands  aghast 
at  seeing  Stella,  She,  not  observing  him,  is 
disarranging  everything  on  the  table  in  the  most 
casual  fash  ion . 

Baverstock. 
I  beg  your  pardon  ! 

Stella, 

[Loohing  up,   p/easant/y.]     Please    don't.     Won't 
you  sit  down  ? 

Baverstock. 

Thank  you,  I  should  like  to.     The  fact  is,  I'm 
particularly  busy,  and  this  is  my  table. 

Stella, 

Really  !     Such   a  nice   table,   and   such    a  good 
view  of  the  bay.  [  She  does  not  move, 

Baverstock. 
IG/oomi/j'.l     Your  gloves  are  in  the  red  ink. 

Stella. 
So  they  are  !      [Lfts  g/oves.']     There.      Now,   do 


24       JUS  i:xci:LLi:xcY  77/ /:  cor/: uxor 

you  mind  holding  my  parasol  and  cigarette —  er  — 
-   cardcase  ?     Thank   you.     \^IIc   fakes   them    su/ki/y.'] 
I   won't  be  long.      \_S/ie  goes  on  wrifing.']     I'm  stay- 
ing in  the  house,  you  know. 

Baverstock. 
Then  I  presume  I  am  addressing  Miss  Carlton. 

Stei.i.a. 
Presumption  witl\  a  lady  is  always  wrong. 

Baverstock. 

Would  you  mind  removing  these  despatches  ?     I 
see  you've  been  using  tliem  as  blotting-paper. 

Stella. 

So   I   have.      No  wonder  1  thought  it  such  bad 
blotting-paper.     Now  tell  me,  who  are  you  ? 

Baverstock. 

I'm  Sir  Montagu's  private  secretary.     My  name 
is  Baverstock. 

Stella. 

Such  a  nice    name  1     So    redolent   of    England. 
Sounds  like  a  suburban  railway  station. 


HJS   EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVEA'NOK 

Baverstock. 
I'm  particularly  busy  at  present,  and  if 


Stella. 

If  I  can  help  you  ?  Of  course  I  shall.  There, 
I've  finished.  [Rises.']  So  now,  if  you'll  sit  down 
and  write,  I'll  hold  the  pens  and  ink  and  things. 
Let  us  draw  the  curtains.  Come,  don't  look  so 
shocked.     I'm  a  creature  of  impulse,  you  know. 

[She  drarc'S  the  curtains. 

Sir  Montagu  and  Carew  re-enter. 

Carew. 
They're  coming,  sir. 

Butler. 

■   [Entering?^     Mr.  Carlton  and  party  have  arrived, 
your  Excellency. 

Enter  Mr.  Cxki^to-^,  followed  by  Mrs.  Wentworth- 
BoLiNGBROKE.  Carlton  is  a  thin,  close-shaven, 
and  careworn  man  of  about  Jifty.  Mrs.  Went- 
worth-Bolingbroke  is  a  handsome,  fnassive 
woman  of  forty-eight,  very  well  dressed.      She  is 


26  JUS  KXCKLLKNCY    THE    GOJ-J-.A'A'OR 

ponderous  in  speech  and  affected  in  nianner.     She 
uses  tortoiseshell  eye-glasses  with  handle. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\Shaking  hands  7i.>ith  Carlton.]  Let  me  offer  you 
a  very  hearty  welcome  to  the  Amandaland  Islands. 

Carlton. 

You're  very  good.  My  sister,  Mrs.  Wentworth- 
Bolingbroke. 

Sir  Montagu. 
How  d'you  do  ?     Pleasant  voyage,  I  hope  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

I  believe  so.  Personally  I  considered  it  quite 
appalling.  I  dislike  extremes  meeting,  as,  for  in- 
stance, a  very  small  cabin  in  a  very  large  ocean. 
A  very  large  cabin  in  a  very  small  ocean  would  be 
so  much  nicer. 

Sir  Montagu. 
True. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

Then  the  view  in  mid-sea  was  invariably  the  same, 
except  that  some  days  it  wobbled  more  than  others. 
\She  sits  exhaiistedly  on  sofa?^     Henry,  my  tabloids. 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOJ'ERXOR         27 

Sir  Montagu. 
Tabloids  !^     I  trust  you  are  not  an  invalid. 

Mrs.   BOLINGBROKE. 

Oh,  no  1  but  my  London  physician  recommended 
these  against  all  epidemics  in  the  tropics.  I  take 
one  every  four  hours. 

Carlton. 

\To  Carew.]  Charming  bay  you  have.  By  the 
way,  what  is  the  population  of  the  Islands  ? 

Carew. 
\Hesitales?^      Increasing  daily,  sir,  both  black  and 
white. 

Sir  Montagu. 
You'll  find  our  climate  most  salubrious. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

I  dislike  all  climates.  The  only  atmosphere  I  care 
for  is  that  of  my  own  drawing-room  in  London,  and 
even  there  we  have  black  smoke  quite  frequently. 

Sir  Monta(;u. 
You'll  revel  in  the  flowers  and  fruit. 


28         HIS  EXCHLLKNCY    TIfF.    GOVERNOR 
Mrs.    BOLINGBROKE. 

You  think  so  ?     I  doubt  it. 

I 

Sir  Montagu. 
Ah  I     Well,  at  least  our  scenery  will  interest  you. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

I  dislike  all  scenery  except  in  a  theatre,  where  the 
Arctic  regions  and  an  Indian  jungle  are  both  about 
sixty-five  degrees  Fahrenheit.  When  my  brother 
insists  on  my  taking  one  of  these  tours  with  him 
I  become  a  chrysalis,  existing  in  a  state  of  profound 
coma  till  we  sight  London.  Then  again  I  become 
a  caterpillar. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Er  —  a  butterfly  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

No,  a  caterpillar.  I  move  slowly,  and  have  none 
of  the  ephemeral  spontaneity  of  the  butterfly. 

Sir  Montagu. 

And  Miss  Carlton  —  I  understood  she  was  with 
you. 


niS  EXCELLEiYCY    THE    CO]'ERNOR  29 

Mrs.  Boi.ingbrokk. 

She'll  be  here  directly.  She  insisted  on  leaving 
the  carriage,  and  with  her  maid  we  left  her  gather- 
ing what  appeared  to  me  to  be  scarlet  cabbages. 

\A  peal  of  laughter  from  Stella  is  h'-ard  in 
the  alcove.  Mrs.  Bolingbroke  rises  atui 
looks  first  at  the  curtains,  then  ifiquiringly 
at  Sir  Montagu. 

Carlton. 
What  delightful  childish  laughter  ! 

Stella. 

And  did  I  spill  his  ink?  Oh,  naughty,  naught}' 
that  I  am  1 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
You  have  other  visitors  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

Er — yes — a  cousin.  The  Comtesse  de  Gex. 
French,  you  know. 

Carlton. 

Most  refreshing  1     A  charming  voice  I 

\The  curtains  open  and  Stella  comes  douni 


JO         nrs   KXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERXOR 

arm-iii-ann  with  Bavkksiock.  She  drops 
his  arm  on  seeing  the  others  and  looks  down 
demurely. 

Sir  Montagu. 

{Introducing^  Mrs.  Wentworth-Bolingbroke,  Mr. 
Carlton,  Comtesse  de  Gex,  Mr.  Baverstock,  my  secre- 
tary. 

Stella. 

So  pleased  1  \Takes  Carlton's  hand.']  Tve  so  often 
read  about  you  in  leading  articles  and  things.  [  Very 
sweetly. '\  And  Mrs.  Bolingbroke,  your — your  mother- 
in-law  ? 

Carlton. 
My  sister. 

Stella. 

Of  course.  How  stupid  of  me  !  You're  so  like 
each  other. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
A  cousin  of  Sir  Montagu's,  I  think  ? 

Stella. 
Yes.     That  is  all. 


HIS   EXCELLt.XCY    THE    GOVERNOR         31 
Mrs.    BoLIN(iBROK.E. 

I   suppose    on    the    Ha^bury-^^"ilton  side  of   the 
family  ? 

Stella. 

No.     The  Brackenbuiy-Todd  side. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Ah  1  I  don't  seem  to  know  the  name. 

Stella. 

Possibly   not.      They   go    nowhere  —  except,   of 
course,  to  Court. 

Mrs.   Bolingbroke. 

\Aside  to   Carlton.]     What    an  astounding  per- 
son V    She  's  like  a  drawing  in  "  La  Vie  Parisienne.'" 

Carlton. 
Honoria  1      You  read  that  paper? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
I  found  it  in  your  cabin,  Henry. 

Carlton. 
Kxtraordinarv  1 


32         HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GO^'ERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 
No  doubt  you  would  like  to  see  your  rooms  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Thank  you,  yes. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Then,    Carew [Carew  is  talking   to  Stella 

and  docs  ?tot  /tear.']     Carew,  will  you  show  the  way  ? 

Carew, 
Pleasure,  sir.     And  you,  Comtesse ? 

Stella. 

I  am  with  you.     1  'm  so  fond  of  your  uniform.     I 

remember  I  once  wore [Sir  Montagu  coughs 

7(.iarningly?\   But  there  —  I  've  forgotten.     What  an 
imperfect  diary  memory  is  ! 

[Carew  opens  the  door,  Stella  sweeps  out  first, 
follouied  by  Mrs.  Bolingbroke,  who  raises 
her  glasses  and  stares  after  her.  Carew 
and'&KVY.YiSYOQ.Y.  follow  them, 

Carlton. 
[Brushing  sleeve?^     Dear  me  1       I  'm  covered  with 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERNOR         i^ 

yellow  dust.     What  a  charming  woman  the  Comtesse 
seems  1 

Sir  Montagu. 
H  'm  —  yes. 

Carlton. 
The  state  of  the  Islands  is  satisfactoiy-,  I  trust  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

Very  much  so.  I  hope  that  my  administration  is 
giving  the  Home  Government  satisfaction  ? 

Carlton. 
\Evasively^     Ah  I  \Comes  down  R.  c. 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  should  be  glad  of  an  assurance  on  that  point. 

Carlton. 

The  Government  so  far  reserves  both  comment 
and  approval,  neither  being  desirable  at  the  present 
juncture.  Comment,  you  see,  is  synonymous  with 
censure,  and  approval  would  only  imply  my  wisdom 
in  selecting  you  as  governor.    That,  I  think,  is  clear. 


34         If  IS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 

Quite.  Then  were  I  censured,  such  censure 
would  be  directed  against  }  ou  ? 

Carlton. 

Oh  no  !  For  my  selection  of  )Ou  was  based  on 
}uur  good  points,  and  therefore  I  am  only  responsi- 
ble for  your  creditable  achievements.  My  position 
is  necessarily  in  the  nature  of  an  impregnable  rock. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Whilst  mine  would  appear  to  have  its  foundation 
on  political  sand. 

Carlton. 

A  sandy  soil  may  be  cultivated. 

Sir  Montagu. 
And  a  rock  may  not. 

Carlton. 
The  rock  relies  on  its  grandeur. 

Sir  Montagu. 
StiVl,  it's  aiwavs  barren. 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY   THE    GOVERXOR         35 

Carltox. 
Eh?  . 

Sir  Montagu. 
A  mere  metaphor. 

Carlton. 

Your  only  difficulty  at  present,  I  imagine,  is  the 
reorganisation  of  the  nati\e  marriage  laws  ? 

Sir  Montagu, 

That  is  so.  You  see,  when  England  annexed  the 
Islands  in  the  'twenties,  in  the  interests  of  Christi- 
anit}s  and  with  great  slaughter,  each  native  was 
allowed  three  wives,  rajahs  thirty  —  if  they  could 
get  them.  With  the  advent  of  Bishop  Garraway  in 
'71,  these  numbers  were  reduced  to  natives  two 
wives  each,  rajahs  twelve.  The  Bishop  had  evan- 
gelistic tendencies.  But  the  Bill  about  to  be  brought 
into  operation  places  the  natives'  marriage  laws  on 
the  same  footing  as  our  own. 

Carlton. 
And  this  has  given  rise  to  considerable  feeling  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Yes. 


36         HIS  EXCELLEXCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Carlton. 
No  danger  of  a  rising,  I  trust  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Oh,  I  think  not. 

Carlton. 

The  former  state  of  affairs  was  certainly  highly 
immoral. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Undoubtedly.     Even  the  rajahs  admitted  that  a 
change  was  inevitable. 

Carlton. 
They  were  used  to  changes,  apparently. 

Ethel. 
{Without?^   Father!     Father  1 

Carlton. 
My  daughter's  voice. 

Enter   Ethel    Carlton.     She   is  a  very  charming 
and  o.ttracti've  girl  of  hvcnty.  in  a  white  yachting 


HIS  EXCELLE.VCV    THE    GOVERNOR         37 

costume  and  cap.      She-carries  an  armful  of  tropi- 
cal flowers. 

Ethel. 
Here  I  am,  dad. 

Carlton. 
And  here  is  your  host. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Welcome  to  the  Amandaland  Islands.     \_From  the 
moment  Sir  Montagu  sees  Ethel  his  eyes  follcnv  her 
everywhere.      It  is  clearly  a  case  of  love  at  first  sight.^ 

Ethel. 
Ahl    and   they    are    so  beautiful.     The  very  air 
breathes  a  welcome.       The    sun,    the    flowers,    the 
fruit,  the  sea  —  even  the  natives.     An  odour  rises 
from  everything. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Yes,  doesn't  it  ?  [Carlton  retires  to  the  verandah?^ 

Ethel. 

I    shall    never    tear    myself    away   from    all    this 
beauty. 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  wish  —  1  Avish  I  could  believe  that. 


38         HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

.  Ethel. 
P'ather,  shall  I  make  you  a  buttonhole  ? 

[Sir    Montagu  seizes   his  07vfi   buttonhole  and 
throws  it  away. 

Carlton, 
No,  thank  you,  child.     I  only  care  for  primroses. 
Make  one  for  Sir  Montagu. 

Ethel. 
You  have  one  already,  haven't  you  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
No.     It  —  er  —  faded  of  envy  as  you  came  in. 

Ethel. 
Then  shall  1  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Do.     J  '11  hold  the  liowers. 

Ethel. 

There  !      \^She  puts  floivers  in  his  arms.']     You're 
like  an  allegorical  figure  of  Summer. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Am  I,  really  ? 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERNOR         39 
CHARLTON". 

\Looking  out  at  the  Bay?\     That.  I   presume,  is 
the  new  breakwater  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

{Abstractedly i\    Yes  —  yes.  \To  Ethel.]    And  you 
really  mean  to  enjoy  life  here  ? 

Ethel. 
Every  moment  of  it.     You'll  help  me,  won't  you  ? 

Carlton. 
Not  the  near  one,  but  the  far  one,  eh  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

\Repeating  mechanicaUy?^     No.     Not  the  near  one, 
but  the  far  one. 

Ethel. 

You'll  let  me  gather  hundreds  and  thousands  of 
flowers  ana  fruit,  won't  you  ? 

Carlton. 
What  did  it  cost  ? 


40  JUS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 
Hundreds    and    thousands.      Everj'thing  on    the 
Islands. 

Carlton. 
[Realising  that  they  are  not  /isteni/ig!]     Ah  I 

\_He  strolls  on  to  the  verandah  atid  disappears. 

Ethel. 
[  Who  has  pinned  bntionhole   in    Sir    Montagu's 
coat?^     There  1     You're  quite  smart. 

Sir  Montagu. 
How  shall  I  thank  you  ? 

Enter  Bavkrstock  li'llh  papers.  From  the  moment 
he  sees  Ethel  his  eyes  /o/lo7c>  her,  as  in  Sir 
Montagu's  case. 

Baverstock. 
Papers  for  your  signature,  sir. 

Sir  Montagu. 
\_Annoyed.'\     Yes  —  never  mind.    Go  away  I    One 
moment !     This  is  my  secretary,    Mr.    Baverstock. 
\^The  others  bow.']    Thank  you,  that  Avill  do.    [Baver- 
.STOCK  remains  as  if  entranced?^ 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    G  OVER  NO  K         41 

Ethel. 
A  secretary  in  such  a  fairj'land  !    It  seems  absurd. 

Baverstock. 

Yes,  doesn't  it  ? 

Ethel. 

Ill  all  this  wealth  of  beauty,  however  do  you 
manage  to  write  ? 

Baverstock. 
Oh  1    with  pens  —  J  pens  1 

Ethel. 
It  seems  so  incongruous. 

Sir  Montagu. 

We're  keeping  you.  I  know  you're  busy.  Go 
away. 

Baverstock. 

I  am  endeavouring  to  be  pleasant,  genial,  even 
amusing —  if  that  is  possible.  But  you  wish  to  be 
alone,  sir  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Yes   please. 


42  ins   EXCELLENCY    l^HE    GOVERNOR 

Baverstock. 

Then,  Miss  Carlton,  since  you  admire  the  bay  — 
and  for  the  first  time  I  perceive  a  certain  rich, 
romantic  beauty  in  it  —  let  me  show  it  you  from  the 
garden.  Thus,  Sir  Montagu  shall  be,  as  he  desires, 
alone. 

Ethel. 

But  —  you  liave  work  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

Yes,  you  have  work.  Go  away  I  \To  Ethel, 
suavely?)^     Come,  I'll  be  your  cicerone. 

Ethel. 

Ah  I  tliank  you.  And  the  aloes  —  may  I  see 
them  ? 

[Sir  Montagu  goes  out  triumphantly  with 
Ethel.  Baverstocic  remaifis  as  in  a 
dream,  dropping  the  despatches  on  the  floor 
wit  ho  J  it  observing  it. 

Enter  Carew. 
Carew. 
What's  all  this?     {^Seeing  papers  on  the  floor  ^^ 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR         43 

Baverstock. 

It  is,  as  she  says,  a  beautiful  view,  isn't  it  ?  \_Fick- 
ing  up  papers?^  It  —  it  certainly  is  a  marvellously 
beautiful  view.  She  shall  see  it  by  moonlight,  and 
I'll  be  showman,  if  there  is  a  moon. 

Carew. 
What  on  earth  are  you  talking  about  ? 

Baverstock. 

I  don't  know,  I  don't  feel  quite  normal.  By 
Jove  1  it's  —  no,  it  couldn't  be  the  aloes.  Carew, 
do  you  believe  it  possible  that  one  could  come  under 
the  influence  of  vegetable  life  ? 

Carew. 

As  a  boy  I've  been  under  the  influence  of  an 
unripe  apple.     What  do  you  mean  ? 

Baverstock. 

Mean  ?  I've  no  idea.  Tell  me  —  is  there  a  moon 
to-night  ? 

Carew. 
Yes.     Why  ? 


44 


J/JS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 


Baverstock.. 
Nothing.     But  it  makes  all  the  difference.     She 
has  come. 

Carew. 
Who  ?     Miss  Carlton  ? 

Baverstock. 
Yes.     Ethel  has  come. 

Carew. 
Ethel  has  come  1 

Baverstock. 
I  don't  think  you  ought  to  call  her  Ethel. 

Carew. 
But  you  did  yourself,  my  dear  fellow. 

Baverstock. 
I've  met  her,  you  haven't. 

Carew. 
Is  she  attractive  ? 

Baverstock. 
{Enthusiastically. 1    Attractive  ?    She's  perfectly  — 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOJ'ERNOR         45 

\With  a  sudden  change  of  manner?^     She  abhors  mili- 
tary men. 

Carew. 
She  told  you  that  ? 

Baverstock. 
No.     But  I  saw  it  in  her  eye.     [Sir  Montagu  and 
Ethel,   much  preoccupied,  are  seen  walking   up  and 
down  the  path  at  intervals  during  the  following?^   Ha  ! 
There  she  is. 

Carew. 
\^Looking  through  doorway ^^     By    Jo\'e  !  she    is  a 
beautiful  girl  1 

Baverstock. 
She's  divine,  absolutely  divine  ! 

Carew. 

I  say,  we  didn't  bargain  for  this. 

Baverstock. 
For  what  ?     Bargain  for  what  ? 

Carew. 
For  such  a  vision  of  beauty. 


4^         II rS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Baverstock. 
You  don't  mean  to  say  she's  upset  you  ? 

Carew. 

Upset  me  ?  No.  \Going?\  I'm  off  to  make  her 
acquaintance. 

Baverstock. 

\Catching  hold  of  kim.'\  My  dear  Carew,  don't. 
Remain  normal  while  you  can.  Hush  !  There  they 
are  again.  Look  at  Sir  Montagu.  Don't  you  see 
what  it  means  ?  Look  at  his  face  —  his  eyes.  He-'s 
in  love  at  first  sight. 

Carew. 

Bah  1  There's  no  such  thing.  [  With  enthusiasm  ] 
But  she's  glorious  all  the  same.     She's  divine  1 

Baverstock. 

I  wish  you'd  stop  saying  that.  It's  my  opinion.  I 
hit  on  it  first. 

Carew. 
An  opinion  may  be  held  by  two  or  more. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR         47 

Baverstock. 

Possibly.  But  a  divine  creature  like  Ethel  can't. 
Carew,  it  seems  monstrous  —  mad,  if  you  like  —  but 
—  I  love  her!  Oh!  I  Vwow you  can't  understand 
such  a  thing. 

Carew. 

How  do  you  know  that  I  can't  understand  such  a 
thing?  How  do  you  know  that  I'm  not  experiencing 
the  same  sort  of  feeling  at  the  present  moment  ? 

Baverstock. 

How  ?  Because  I  claim  the  sole  right  to  this  emo- 
tion.    It  is  mine.     I  got  it  first. 

Carew. 

You  can't  claim  an  emotion  if  it's  here. 

\Strikes  his  breast. 

Baverstock. 

Carew,  I  will  share  my  last  crust  with  you,  if  you 
care  for  crusts,  but  not  —  not  Ethel. 

Carew. 
^Suddenly  sitting  down ?^  I   should  think  not ! 


48         JUS  EXCELLEACV    THE    GOVERNOR 

Baverstock. 

{Also  stttifig.'\  Exactly.  Let  us  calm  down  a  bit. 
One  thing,  Carew,  is  clear.  Sir  Montagu  said  he  was 
so  wrapped  in  his  duty  to  the  State  that,  were  a 
woman  to  unwrap  him 

Carew. 
He'd  die  of  an  official  chill.     Yes. 

Baverstock. 
We  ought  to  save  him.  [T/iey  clasp  hands. 

Carew.  ' 

The  thing  is  how  to  begin. 

Baverstock. 
Never  leave  her  side,  day  or  evening. 

Carew. 
^^'hat  ?     Both  of  us  ? 

Baverstock. 
Or  turn  about. 

Carew. 

Then  Til  start  at  once. 


H/S  EXCELLEiVCY    THE    GOVERNOR         49 

Baverstock. 
There  is  no  time  like  the  present. 

\They  go  out  hurriedly,  ahnost  knocking  against 
Carlton,  who  enters  from  the  verandah. 

Carlton. 
Have  you  seen  my  daughter  ? 

Carew. 
Yes,  thanks. 

Baverstock. 

Oh,  dear  me,  yes  I  \_They  rush  out. 

Carlton. 

[Looking  after  Carew  and  Baverstock.]  There  is 
an  air  of  business  about  these  young  men.  [Examin- 
ing a  Marron  glace  in  his  hand.'\  A  Marron  glac^  1 
that  struck  my  hat !  Somehow  it  suggests  the  Uttle 
Comtesse.  She's  a  cheery  httle  person,  unconven- 
tional, unrestrained.  I  foresee  a  pleasant  time  in 
these  delightful  Islands. 

Stella  enters. 

Stella. 

Ah  !  [Pointing  a  finger  at  him.'\  I  watched  you 
come  in. 


50         1/JS   EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Carlton. 
I  ain  honoured. 

Stella. 

They've  put  me  in  a  room  in  a  tower  —  like  a 
fairy  princess,  j'ou  know  —  and  I  looked  out  and 
saw  you  amongst  the  aloes  below,  for  all  the  Avorld 
like  a  fairy  prince,  and 

Carlton. 
[Deprecating/}'.']     Oh  1  come,  my  good  lady 

Stella. 

But  you  were,  really.  Of  course  I  only  saw  the 
top  of  your  hat,  I  couldn't  see  your  feet.  Well,  I 
dropped  a  Marron  glace  —  the  one  tHat  landed  on 
your  head  with  such  a  thump.  You're  not  angry, 
are  you  ? 

Carlton. 

Why,  of  course  not. 

Stella. 

That's  my  little  way,  you  know.     An  innocent, 

practical  joke,  and  we're    friends    at   once.      Isn't 

.everything  here  beautiful  ?     It's  quite  a  fairyland. 

I  expect  cupids  to  come  Hying  by  every  moment. 


HJS  EXCELLENCY   TLIE    GOVERNOR         51 

But,  of  course,  Cupid  doesn't  interest  you.    He  never 
creeps  into  Parliament,  does  he  ? 

Carlton. 
Why  not  ?      Even  a  politician  is  human. 

Stella. 

Really  ?  That  seems  to  have  escaped  the  news- 
paper reporters.  I  wish  I  were  mixed  up  in  politics, 
but  I'm  afraid  my  love  of  romance  is  too  strong. 

Carlton. 
Romancing  and  politics  go  hand  in  hand  at  times. 

Stella. 
But  surely  you  have  no  romantic  tendencies  ? 

Carlton. 

You're  quite  severe.  I  think  I  have  —  at  certain 
seasons. 

Stella. 

Ah !     This  is  September.     In  —  in  autumn  ? 

Carlton. 
H'm  !     \M"iv  do  you  ask  ? 


52         JflS  KXCELLEXCY    THE    GOl'ERNOR 

Stella. 
T  thought  of   the  lines,  "  In  the  spring  a  young 
man's  fancy  lightly  turns  to  thoughts  of " 

Carlton. 
Yes,  I  remember. 

Stella. 
\Lookifig  dowii?^     Of  —  of  —  love. 

Carlton. 
I  see.  And  you  logically  conclude  that  the  autumn 
is  a  suitable  season  for  an  old  man's  folly.  Love, 
Comtesse,  is  like  climbing  for  an  apple,  the  honey- 
moon's the  eating  of  it,  and  the  rest  is  the  discovery 
that  you  prefer  almost  every  other  kind  of  fruit. 

Stella. 
Is  it  really  ?    I've  so  little  knowledge  of  the  world, 
you  know. 

Carlton. 
Yes,  I  see  that. 

Stella. 

My  ideas  must  seem  to  you  so  crude,  so  childishlv 
innocent,  so 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    TIIE    GOVERXOR         53 

Carlton. 
Eh? 

Stella. 
Chilclislily  innocent.      Don't  you  think  so? 

Carlton. 
I  think  you  depreciate  some  very  obvious  gifts. 

\Sits  by  her. 
Stella. 

Gifts  !      What  gifts  ?      I    have   none  —  not  even 
love,  and  love  is  the  artist  that  colours  life, 

Carlton. 
Then  I  fear   he's   an   impressionist.      Lavish  in 
paint  and  distinctly  French. 

Stella. 
[  With  affected  bitterness.']     Ah  !  cruel !    You  mean 
that  to  —  to \_Affecting  to  break  down. 

Carlton. 
\Sjirprised^     Dear  lady,  to  what  ? 

Stella. 
To  apply  to  me.     Because  I'm  F  —  French.     I  — 
don't  paint  —  I 


54         JnS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carlton. 

No,  no  1  You  mistake  me.  I  was  talking  of  love, 
of  Cupid,  of — [enter  Mrs.  Bolingbroke]  —  of  — 
oh 1  [Seeing  Mrs.  Bolingbroke.] 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
[Severely. 1     I've  been  looking  for  j'ou,  Henry. 

Stella. 
[Instantly  recovering  herself?^  He's  been  telling 
me  such  a  sad  story  —  at  least,  not  really  a  sad 
story,  because  it  didn't  happen.  It  was  about  his 
plans  for  you  in  case  of  The  Butterfly  being  ship- 
wrecked. You  were  to  be  tied  to  a  lifebuoy,  then, 
hand-in-hand,  you  were  to  leap  from  the  sinking 
ship  to  a  boat,  and 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
I  never  leap. 

Stella. 

No.  I  said  you  would  have  more  consideration 
for  the  boat. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
It  seems  to  have  been  a  most  uncalled-for  conver- 
s;ition,  and  scarcely  an  agreeable  topic. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE  GOVERXOK  55 

vStella. 
No  1     Still  you  are  his  sister. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

Isn't  that  rather   gratuitous    information?      I've 

been  so  for 

Stella. 

For  ages.  Of  course  —  but  I'm  so  stupid.  \Turn- 
ing?[     Ah  !  here's  Sir  Montagu. 

Enter  Sir  Montagu  and  Yjxwex.,  followed  by 
Carew  and  Baverstock. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

\Aside  to  Carlton.]  Henry,  that  woman  is  pre- 
posterous and  impossible. 

Sir  Montagu. 

[Aside  and  ir)-itably  to  staff?^  Understand  me, 
gentlemen  ;  when  I  am  entertaining  my  guests,  I  will 
not  submit  to  being  followed  by  my  staff. 

Carew. 

We  were  merely  endeavouring  to  assist  j'ou,  sir. 


56  JJIS   KXCJiLLK.XCY    TJIE    GOVERXOR 

Baverstock. 
By  being  "  pleasant,  genial,  even  amusing,  if  - 


Sir  Montagu. 
That  will  do.     Your  assistance  was  a  hindrance. 

Baverstock. 
That's  a  paradox,  isn't  it  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

Paradox  be —  \Aside7\  Ha!  I  know.  I'll  get  rid 
of  them.  \AIotid?^  Carew,  Baverstock,  it's  occurred 
to  me  that  I  should  like  the  General  to  lunch  here 
to-day.  Will  one  of  you  —  or,  better  still,  both  of 
you  —  convey  my  invitation  ? 

Baverstock. 
Certainly,  sir. 

Carew. 
Yes,  sir.     {Neither  move.'\ 

Sir  Montagu. 
At  once,  please. 


HIS   EXCELLEACY   THE    COrEA'XOK  57 

Carew. 
By  all  means,  sir. 

Baverstock. 
There  is  no  time  like  the  present. 

l^Sti//  fieit/ier  move,  their  eyes  following  Ethel. 

Ethel. 
May  I  go  with  you  ?     I  do  so  want  to  see  the 
country. 

\A  general  alacrity  ensues.    Carew  and  Baver- 
stock get  their  hats. 

Baverstock. 
With  the  utmost  pleasure. 

Stella. 

And  I  ?  I'm  so  fond  of  Generals  1    I  admire  their 
uniform  so  much  1 

Carew. 
You  shall  come.     Mr.  Baverstock  will  escort  you. 
[Carew  and 'Ethel,  Stella  and  Baverstock 
pass  out  to  verafidah. 

Carlton. 
I  should  enjoy  a  stroll  myself. 


58         J I  IS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVEKXOR 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Ah !     Then  I  think  I  shall  chaperone  the  party. 

Sir  Montagu. 
\_Irritahl}\\     Let's  all  go  —  in  a  swarm  1 

\_They  all  disappear.      The  Sentry  presents 
arms  as  they  pass. 

Presefitly  Ethel  retur/is,fo//o7ved  by  Carew. 

Ethel. 

So  stupid  of  me  to  forget  it  I     Ah  1  there  it  is. 

[  Takes  up  parasol  from  table  and  turns  to  go. 

Carew. 

But  you  don't  really  want  to  see  the  country,  do 
you  ? 

Ethel. 
Not  a  bit  —  with  so  many  other  people. 

Carew. 

And  it's  cooler  here. 

\_He  places  two  chairs  side  by  side,  and  they  sit 
down  with  their  backs  to  the  doonvav. 


HIS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERiXOR  59 

Sir  yio'^'Yk<r,\s  rc-etiters  and  stands  behind  them. 

Ethel. 
Tell  nie,  is  Sir  Montagu  rather  an  impressionable 
man  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
No,  not  as  a  rule. 

\They  tiirn  round  surprised.  Baverstock  is 
seen  entering  stealthily. 

Ethel. 
I  —  I  thought  you'd  gone  to  the  General's  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Baverstock  is  conveying  my  invitation. 

\0n  this  Bavers'I'OCK  turns  and  goes  on 
tiptoe.  The  Sentry  is  smiling  bioadly. 
The  others  turn  and  catch  sight  of  Baver- 
stock as  he  disappears. 

end  of  the  first  act. 


THE    SECOND    ACT 


Scetie: — As  in  Act  /.,  except  that  tt  is  evening.  Bril- 
liant tropical  tnoonlight  without.  The  room  is 
lighted  by  shaded  lamps. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke  atid  Ethel  have  just  left  the 
dining  room  after  dinner. 

Ethel. 
What  a  heavenly  night ! 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Quite  beautiful.     \Enter  Native  Servants,  carry- 
ing tray  with  coffee^    Ah  !  and  here  is  coffee.    Where 
is  the  Comtesse  ? 

Ethel. 
She's  playing  the  piano.     I'll  call  her,   shall   I  ? 
Comtesse  1 

60 


HIS  EXCELLF.XCY    THE    GOVEKiVOR  6i 

Stella. 
\Entering^^  Yes  ?    Ah,  here's  coffee  !     Shall  I  give 
you  a  cup,  Mrs.  Bolingbroke  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
\Coldly?^   Thanks,  no.     I  must  have  air. 

\She  retires  to  the  verandah. 

Stella. 
\Seating  herself  on  sofa  and  drinking  coffee r\     It's 
so  necessary,  isn't  it  ?     Well,  Miss  Carlton,  it  seems 
you've  made  a  conquest  of  the  entire  household. 

Ethel. 
I  ?     A  conquest  ? 

Stella. 
You  were  sitting  opposite  Mr.  Baverstock  at  dinner, 
and  his  eyes  never  left  you.  And  when  you  spoke  to 
Captain  Carew,  his  mind  became  a  blank.  I  know  it, 
for,  as  a  test,  I  handed  him  mustard  when  he  was 
eating  mutton.  He  took  quite  a  large  spoonful. 
You  must  have  noticed  such  very  marked  attention. 

Ethel. 
It's  quite  true  that  wherever  I  go  they  seem  to 


62  HJS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

spring  up  from  somewhere.  Mr.  Baverstock  scarcely 
left  me  all  day  until  he  trod  on  a  prickly  pear,  and 
then  Captain  Carew  appeared. 


Stella. 

So  I  saw. 

Ethel. 

You  saw  him  ? 

Stella. 
I  was  sitting  in  the  tower  with  your  father,  dis- 
cussing politics.     I'm  .so  fond  of  politics  I 

Ethel. 
In  the  tower  with  father  ? 

Stella. 

Not  in  my  room,  you  know ;  on  the  roof.  And  I 
saw  Captain  Carew  take  your  hand.  The  view  from 
the  roof  is  delightful. 

Ethel. 
I — I  remember.     I  had  plucked  a  rose,  and 


Stella. 
Yes,  I  know.     A  thorn  had  stuck  in  your  han»! 


HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERXOR         63 

That's  a  favorite    beginning    of.  my    own.      It's   so 
effective. 

Ethel. 
Effective  ? 

Stella. 
Yes.      Another    useful    opening    is    the   shoelace 
coming  undone.     But   that's    after    a  day  or  two's 
acquaintance. 

Ethel. 

But  I'd  never  dream  of  wilfully  setting  such  traps 
for  men. 

Stella. 

No,  not  at  your  age.  Later  on  you  will  find  them 
very  serviceable.  Wait  till  you  get  your  first  wrinkle. 
Wrinkles;  you  know,  dear,  are  the  diary  of  a  woman's 
life  in  cipher. 

Mrs.    BOLINGBROKE. 

[^Coming  down  to  Ethel.]  You  seem  very  thought- 
ful, child.     Dreaming  of  home  ? 

Ethel. 

Dreaming !  No ;  on  the  contrary,  Comtesse  de 
(lox  has  been  opening  my  eyes. 


64         HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Stella. 

Merely  sketching  the  manoeuvres  preliminary  to 
becoming  a  great  lady. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

The  "  great  lady,"  I  fear,  is  a  memory  of  the  past. 
One  rarely  meets  her  nowadays. 

Stella. 
Very  rarely.     Indeed,  I  nroer  meet  her. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

So  I  should  imagine.  After  all,  the  Duchess  of 
to-day  is  quite  an  ordinary  person,  inordinately 
advertised.  The  characteristic  of  rank  that  I  admire 
most  is  its  devotion  to  soap  and  water,  though 
that,  of  course,  oughtn't  to  justify  hereditary  legisla- 
tion. 

Stella. 
I  suppose  not !     Are  these  Mr.  Carlton's  views  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

No.  I  believe  my  brother  regards  the  Constitution 
as  quite  robust.     Indeed,  he's  an  ardent  student  of 


HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR         65 

the  constitutional  literature  of  Society  —  Debrett, 
the  Cookery  Book,  and  Stock  Exchange  quotations. 
He  may  possibly  accept  a  peerage  'himself. 

Stella. 

\Te7itatively^  And  then,  I  suppose,  he'll  marry 
again  ?  Indeed,  he  has  even  discussed  the  possi- 
bility with — with  me. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke, 

Really  ?  \Rising^^  An  infelicitous  choice  of  sub- 
ject. I  will  do  my  brother  the  justice,  however,  to 
assure  you  that,  were  he  to  marry  again,  his  selection 
would  be  an  extremely  dignified  person  with  a  great 
deal  of  money. 

Stella. 
Money  would  be  a  sitie  qiid  fion  i     And  I,  in  my 
foolish  ignorance,   always  regarded  the  heart  as  a 
iewel-box  that  only  love  could  unlock  1 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Money  is  a  wonderful  skeleton-key. 

Ethel. 
Listen,  Aunt!     A  nightingale  1 


(>6  HIS   EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

[Mrs.  Bolingbroke    and  Stella  viove    to 
doorway. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

Exquisite  1  How  still  the  air  is  1  The  Sentry  is 
the  only  restless  note. 

\The  Sentry  is  manhing  up  and  down. 

Stella. 

Don't  you  like  him  ?  I'll  tell  him  to  stop.  Sentry, 
please  I 

Sentry. 
Yes,  miss. 

Stella. 

Would  you  mind  standing  at  ease  ?  You're  getting 
on  our  nerves. 

Sentry. 

I  ain't,  miss ;   I'm  on  my  beat. 

Stella. 

Please  don't  argue,  Sentry.  You're  not  allowed  to 
talk,  you  know.  Stand  at  ease  like  a  nice  quiet 
soldier.  [Sentry  walks  of.]  There  1  he's  gone  off 
in  a  huff. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR         67 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

The  nightingale  again  I  Let  us  hear  his  song  in 
the  garden. 

Stella. 

\As  ihey  fnove  out?^  Yes,  I'm  so  fond  of  nightin- 
gales. The  moon  and  love  and  stars,  and  spring 
nights  and  things,  all  seem  mixed  up  in  the  "  jug-jug," 
don't  they. 

\Exeunt  Mrs.  Bolingbroke  and  Stella, 

Ethel. 

[  Who  has  come  down  and  is  examining  photograph 
ivhich  she  has  taken  from  a  table.']  How  like  him  !  And 
that's  his  signature,  I  suppose — "  Charles  Carew." 
Perhaps  some  girl  loves  him.  I  wonder  1  I  never 
felt  so  interested  in  any  one  before.  Strange  1  for 
it's  not  as  if  he  were  a  brother. 


Enter  Carew.  He  noiu  wears  th^  evening  dress  of  a 
Governor's  Staff.  As  he  enters,  Ethel  conceals 
photograph. 

Carew. 

Alone,  Miss  Carlton  ? 


68         HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Ethel. 

Yes.  {Drops  photograph.  Both  stoop  for  it  hiirriedly, 
and  Carew  secures  /A] 

Carew. 

Why,  it's  myself. 

Ethel. 

Is   it,,  really?     So  it  is!     \Changmg  the  subject?^ 
Where  — where  are  the  others  ? 

Carew. 
Playing  billiards.     Do  you  care  for  the  game  ? 

Ethel. 
Oh  1  yes,  I  like  all  games. 

\A  piatio   being  played  is  heard  in  the  dis- 
tance. 

Carew. 

So  do  I.     Who's  that  ? 

Ethel. 
Probably  the  Comtesse.     Shall  we  join  her  ? 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVEKXOR  69 

Carew. 

No,  no !  We  should  only  be  disturbing  her ; 
and  besides,  there's  a  game  —  er  —  rather  a  good 
one  ■ —  I  used  to  know,  called  "  Match-niaking." 
Do  you  know  it  ? 

Ethel. 

Match-making?  No.  I've  never  played  at  that. 
But  perhaps  you  can  teach  me. 

Carew. 

I'll  try,  with  pleasure.  You  see,  we  each  take 
paper  and  pencil,  and  sit  opposite  each  other. 
There.  Now  we're  supposed  to  be  writing  a  scene 
between  two  lovers  in  a  novel.  I  write  for  him,  and 
you  for  her.  \As  he  speaks  they  sit  at  a  table  opposite 
each  other,  and  Carew  produces  pencils  a?id paper?^ 

Ethel. 
I  see. 

Carew. 

Well,  now,  I  am  in  love  with  you  —  with  her.      , 

Ethel. 
And  —  and  am  I  in  love  with  you  —  with  him  ? 


^ 


70  HIS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carew. 
Yes,  I  think  so.     Oh  yes,  certamly  1 

Ethel. 
I  suppose  I  ought  to  be. 

Carew, 
And  we  toss  for  who  begins.    \Tosses  cffit/.']    Head 
or  tail  ? 

Ethel. 
Head. 

Carew, 
It's  a  tail,  so  I  begin.     You're  quite  ready  ? 

Ethel. 
Yes. 

Carew, 

Very  well.     I  write.      "  My  own  Ethel " 


Ethel. 
[Jii'sm^.']     Captain  Carew  1 

Carew. 
[J^t'ses.]    That's  her  name  in  the  novel,  you  know. 


HIS   EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOl'ERXOR         71 

Ethel. 
\Laughing  and  sitting  again.]     Oh  1      I  beg  your 
pardon.     You  see,  it's  mine  too. 

Carew. 

It's  a  nice  name.  I  always  liked  it.  However, 
I'd  better  get  on.  "My  own  Ethel,  ever  since  you 
landed  on  these  Islands " 

Ethel. 
Am  I  on  the  Islands  ?  —  I  mean,  is  she  ? 

Carew. 

Yes,  for  I  can  choose  the  scene  if  I  win  the  toss. 
That's  a  rule  of  the  game. 

Ethel. 
I  see.     I  didn't  know. 

Carew. 

"  I  have  loved  you  passionately."  Now  it's  your 
turn.      You  reply  for  her. 

Ethel. 
Yes.     It's  rat'ner  difficult. 


72         ins   EXCELLEA'CV   THE    GOVERNOR 

Carkw. 
Remember,  you  love  him. 

Ethel. 

I    remember.     I     think    she    had    better    reply, 
"  What  is  your  income  ?  " 

Carew. 
Ah  !    you  can't  say  that.     It's  against  the  rules. 

Ethkl. 
Is  it  ?     Well,  she  says,  '•  Why  do  you  love  me  ?  " 

Carew. 
I  say,  "  Because  you  are  beautiful  and  good." 

Ethei,. 
No.     He  says  that. 

Carew. 
Yes.     But  I'm  him. 

Ethel. 
It's  rather  a  confusing  game. 


H/S  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVEKXOR  73 

Carew. 
Only  at  first. 

Ethel. 

What  did  he  say  last  ? 

Carew. 
"  You  are  good  and  beautiful." 

Ethel. 

Oh,  yes.  And  she  answers,  "  I  am  sorry  I  can- 
not truthfully  say  the  same  of  you."  Now  it's  your 
turn. 

Carew. 

He,  undaunted,  remarks,  "  Do  you  think  you  could 
ever  care  for  me  ?  " 

Ethel. 
And  she,  being  good-natured,  says,  "  I  might  try." 

Carew. 

Ah  1  That's  better.  You're  getting  into  the 
game. 

Ethel, 

Indeed  I'm  not.     She  only  said  that  to  gain  time. 


7t  JUS   KXCKLLEXCV   JI/F.    GOVERXOR 

Carew. 

Anyway,  he  comes  to  her — \rises\  —  clasps  her 
hand,  and  that  brings  us  to  the  first  illustration. 

Ethel. 
You  never  told  me  it  was  an  illustrated  novel. 

Carew. 

Oh,  yes  !  That's  one  of  the  rules.  We  don't  draw. 
We  do  it  by  a  sort  of  tableau  vivant. 

Ethel. 

It's  a  very  embarrassing  game.  There  are  so 
many  rules. 

Carew. 

Now,  before  the  illustration,  we  toss  again.  If  it's 
heads,  he  embraces  her  ;  if  it's  tails,  she  embraces 
him. 

Ethel. 

Then  what's  the  good  of  tossing? 

Carew. 
It's  a  rule,  that's  all.      Shall  I  toss  ? 


HIS   f.XCI.LI.EACV   riJE    GOVE  AW  Ok'  75 

Ethei,. 

One  moment !  \Retires  hehind  sofa?^  Now  you 
may. 

Carew. 
Right.      [Tosses?^  It's  a  tail. 

Ethel, 

[Indigna?itly.'\  Well,  I'm  not  going  to.  There! 
It's  a  preposterous  game,  and  I  don't  see  where  it's 
to  end.     I  believe  you  invented  it. 

Carew. 

To  be  honest,  Miss  Carlton,  I  did.  I  wanted 
neither  of  us  to  lose,  and  love's  the  only  game  I  know 
of  where  both  players  can  win.  I  meant  every  word 
I  said. 

Ethel, 
Captain  Carew  1 

Carew. 
It's  true,  Ethel,  I 

Ethel, 
Hush!     There's  some  one  coming.     I  —  I 


76         H/S   KXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carew. 
\EagerIyP\  Yes  ? 

Ethel. 
I  —  I  —  I  may  have  meant  it  too. 

Carew. 
Ah  I 

Ethel. 

I'm  not  sure.     If,  when  you  see  me  next,  I  wear  a 
white  rose Hush  1 

Enter  Baverstock  /«  Staff  evening  dress. 

Baverstock. 

[Gloomily.']     As    I    thought !     [To    Carew.]     Sir 
Montagu  wants  you  in  the  billiard-rQpm. 

Carew. 

My  dear  fellow,  I'm  busy.     Say  you  couldn't  find ' 
me. 

Baverstock. 

No,  Carew.     Like  George  Washington,  I  cannot 
tell  a  lie. 


HIS   EXCELLF.XCV    THE    COVERXOR  77 

Ethel. 
Possibly  George  Washington  never  tried. 

Baverstock. 
That  is  not  my  case.     Constant  detection  in  the 
past  forms  the  basis  of  my  present  moral  code. 

Carew. 
Then,  Miss  Carlton,  will  you  excuse  me  ? 

Ethel. 
Yes,  of  course. 

Carew. 

Then  come  along,  Baverstock. 

Baverstock:. 
Thanks.     I  shall  remain  here. 

Carew, 

\Laughing  as  he  goes  off?\    There's  an  old  proverb, 
"  Absence  makes  the  heart  grow  fonder " 

Baverstock. 
Of  others  that  are  left  behind.  Yes.  S^Exit  Carew,", 


78  II IS  EXCEL/JiA'CV    77/ F.    GCWr.RXOK 

[To  Ethkl.]     Tell  me,  did  you  hear  a  nightingale 
in  the  garden  ? 

Ethel. 
Yes,  singing  divinely. 

Baverstock. 
It  was  1 1 

Ethel. 
You? 

Baverstock. 

Yes.  I  possess  a  toy  of  childhood  vi'hich,  when 
blown  in  a  glass  of  water,  reproduces  with  wonder- 
ful fidelity  the  voice  of  the  nightingale.  My  scheme 
was  to  lure  you  into  the  garden. 

Ethel. 
Mr.  Baverstock ! 

Baverstock. 

Miss  Carlton,  there's  something  in  the  air  to-night. 
I  have  a  presentiment  of  impending  disaster. 

Ethel. 
Then  you  are  superstitious? 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR  -g 

Eaverstock. 

Very.  [  With  sudden  inspiration.']   May  I  read  your 
hand  ? 

Ethel. 

Do.     I  should  like  it  of  all  things.     \^He  takes  her 
hand  and  gazes  earnestly  at  it.] 

Eaverstock. 

I  perceive  that  you  have  recently  made  a  voyage 
from  England  to  distant  lands. 

Ethel. 
Yes ;  but  you  knew  that. 

Eaverstock. 

Still,  if  it's  in  your  hand,  I  can't  help  seeing  it, 
can  I  ? 

Ethel. 
I  suppose  not. 

Eaverstock. 

I  note  that  you  are  extremely  attractive. 

Ethel. 
From  mv  hand  ? 


So         J  11^  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVEKNOR 

Baverstock. 

Er — yeSi  It's  a  beautiful  hand,  so  white  and 
soft  I  When  I  clasp  it,  I  seem  to  forget,  the  past 
drifts  away,  and  I  am  borne  on  white  wings  to  —  to 
—  somewhere. 

Ethel. 

That  sounds  more  like  telling  your  own  fortune 
than  mine. 

Baverstock. 

True.  I'll  go  on.  This  line  crossing  that  tells 
me  your  name  is  Ethel.  '[Meditatively^  Strange  ! 
How  strange ! 

Ethel. 

It  isn't  at  all  strange.     My  name  is  Ethel. 

Baverstock. 

I  know.  But  look  at  my  hand.  D'you  mind 
holding  it  ?  \_She  sits  by  him  on  sofa  and  takes  his 
hand?\  Thank  you.  You  see  this  line  ?  [Pointing 
to  line  on  his  own  hand.^ 

Ethel. 
Yes. 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY   THE    GOVERNOR         81 

Baverstock. 
That  means  that  I  shall  marr}'  an  Ethel. 

Ethel. 
All  this  is  curiously  like  a  game  I've  been  playing 
with  Captain  Carew. 

Baverstock. 
\A7inoyed?j^  Carew  1    Your  hand  tells  me  you  abhor 
all  military  men. 

Ethel. 
Then  it's  wrong, 

Baverstock. 
\Rising  excitedly.']     Good  heavens  !    What  is  this 
extraordinary  military  magnetism  ?    A  cavalry  officer 
is  merely  a  highly-coloured  head-groom,  an  infantry 
officer  a  tutor  in  a  school  of  red-coated  boys  I 

Ethel. 
One  might  imagine  you  were  jealous. 

Baverstock. 
Of  Carew  I    \Ti(rns precipitately?^   That's  just  m hat 


S2         11  IS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

I  am.  For,  Ethel  {^fumbling  for  It  is  not€s\  —  I  love 
you  !  [Ethel  rises?\^  No  I  \.4s  she  makes  a  move- 
ment fogo.]  I  insist  on  your  hearing  me.  It  is  your 
duty,  as  a  beautiful  and  good  woman,  to  listen  to 
any  proposal  that  may  be  going.  That  is  your 
province,  your  mission,  your  raison  d'etre.  Excuse 
my  referring  to  notes.  My  official  training  has 
made  me  largely  dependent  on  them,  \Glances  at 
notes  at  intervals?^  I  confess  that  my  present  state 
of  mind  staggers  me.  For  years  I  have  been  like  a 
safety-match,  but  in  you  I  have  found  the  box.  For 
years  I  have  lived  in  a  mental  perspiration  of  ink  — 
but  that  is  over.  [Ethel  is  about  to  j//.]  Ah  1  take 
care,  there  is  a  teacup  on  that  chair.  Allow  me, 
\He  removes  cupi\  I  have  nothing  to  offer  you  but 
a  great,  unselfish  love.  I  have  no  means,  few  attrac- 
tions, but  I  am  an  English  gentleman. 

Ethel. 
Yes.     But  there  are  so  many  others. 

Baverstock, 
Then  let  me  shield  you  from  their  importunities. 
Ethel,  I  am  knocking  at  the  door  of  your  heart. 

Ethel. 
There  is  no  admittance  except  on  business. 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    COVERAOR  S3 

Bavkrstock. 
I  wish  to  acquire  a  life  lease  of  the  entire  property. 

Ethel. 
My  heart  has  no  need  of  a  tenant  at  present. 

Baverstock. 
Then  you're  losing  a  valuable  rent. 

Enter  Carew. 
Carew. 
I'm  afraid  I'm  in  the  way. 

Baverstock. 
You  are. 

Carew. 

I  think  I  ought  to  tell  you  that  Sir  Montagu  ex- 
plained to  me  that  it  was  you  who  suggested  that  I 
should  play. 

Baverstock. 
I  believe  I  did. 

Carew. 
Then  how  about  Washington  ? 


84         If  IS  EXCELLEXCY    TI/K    GO]ERNOR 

Baverstock. 

My  dear  Carew,  I  use  George  Washington  as  a 
convenience,  not  as  an  obstacle.  We're  very  busy. 
Would  you  mind  leaving  us  ? 

Carew. 
\To  Ethel. ]     Do  you  wish  me  to  leave  the  room? 

Ethel. 

I  wisli  you  to  stay.  "" 

Baverstock. 

\Rises^^  Then  the  situation  is  impossible.  We're 
at  a  deadlock. 

C'arew. 

1  feel  sure,  Baverstock,  this  is  most  painful  to  Miss 
Carlton. 

Ethel. 
I  —  I  can  go  to  the  garden. 

Baverstock, 
A  good  idea  I     Allow  me  to  accompany  you. 

Sir  Montagu  enters  unseen,  and  stands 
watching;  them. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERXOK         85 

Carew. 

Stop  !  I  will  not  permit  this  persecution  of  one 
who  is  our  guest. 

Sir  Montagu. 
[.-/-<-/>/t'.]      Our  guest ! 

Baverstock. 

Persecution  !  \FufnbUug  for  7iotes?\  Is  the  love 
of  an  honest  heart  persecution  ?  Is  my  life  to  be 
relegated  to  the  limbo  of  a  loveless  future  ?  Is  — 
am  I  —  hang  it !  —  where  are  my  notes  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

Gentlemen  !  What  does  this  mean  ?  Wrangling 
in  the  presence  of  a  lady  ! 

Ethel. 
Really,  it's  nothing. 

Carew. 
The  fact  is,  sir,  when  I  returned  here  -^■ 

Baverstock. 
Yes,  he  was  here  before. 


S6         JUS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Carew. 
I  found  that  Mr.  Baverstock  had  —  well  — 

Baverstock. 

There  is  no  necessity  for  evading  the  truth. 
George  Washington  found  none,  nor  do  I.  I  had 
suggested  to  Miss  Carlton  what  seemed  to  me  a 
happy  alliance  with  myself. 

Sir  Montagu. 

And  in  doing  so  expressly  disregarded  my  injunc- 
tions. 

Baverstock. 

Yes,  sir,  but  only  because  I  discovered  that  true 
love  knows  no  restrictions.  \Ref erring  to  notes.']  It 
grows  and  expands,  no  matter  how  arid  the  soil, 
how  official  the  environment.  It  demands  a  resig- 
nation of 

Sir  Montagu. 

Your  resignation  will  be  considered  later.    Mean- 
time be  good  enough  to  leave  the  room. 

Baverstock. 
Since  you  desire  it,  sir.     [^Going.]     I  need  hardly 


I 


HIS   EXCELLF.XCY    77//-:    GOlViAWOA'         .S; 

say,  Miss  Carlton,  that  I  leave  my  heart  behind  me. 
Jt  is  a  moral  untidiness  that  I  cannot  help.  There 
are  my  notes  —  [flaying  them  on  the  table']  —  if  you 
care  to  glance  at  them.  They  contain  an  epitome 
of  my  unalterable  affections,  selected  from  such  of 
the  best  authors  as  I  have  been  able  to  procure  in 
in  these  remote  Islands,  \_Ife  goes  out  dejectedly. 

Sir  Montagu. 
And  you,  Carew  ? 

Carew. 
Well,  sir,  I  admit  I 

Sir  Montagu. 

In    any  case,  I    think    it    desirable  that  you  too 
should  leave  us. 

Carew. 

As  you  please,  sir. 

\He  goes  out  indignantly. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Let  me  offer  you  the  most  humble  apology  for  the 

,  inexplicable  conduct  of  my  staff. 


I! 


88         JJJS  EXCJiLLEA'CY   THE    COVERXOR 

Ethel. 
Let  us  forget  it. 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  take  it  thev  both  —  er  —  offered  —  er 


Kthf.i., 
Yes.     They  did. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Ah  I     And  your  answer  was ? 

Ethkl. 

I    said   nothing  definitely.     You  see,  they  inter 
rupted  each  other,  and  then  you  came  in. 

Sir  Montagu. 

I  am  pained  beyond  expression  that  this  should 
have  happened. 

Ethel. 

Yes,  twice  in  one  evening. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Twice  ? 


HIS  EXCELLENCY   T//E    GOVE  A' NOR         89 

Ethel. 
Once  each.     Twice  altogether. 

Sir  Montagu. 

If  I  could  hope  to  efface  the  memor}'  of  these 
indignities  I  should  be  more  than  gratified.  I  had 
given  them  both  imperative  instructions  that  they 
were  not  to  cultivate  any  potentially  matrimonial 
emotion,  least  of  all  one  that  should  run  counter  to 
my  owa. 

Ethel. 
They  probably  meant  nothing. 

Sir  Montagu. 

[IVarm/)'.]  Then  the  more  unjustifiable  their 
conduct.  With  such  a  face  as  yours  to  inspire 
them,  with  your  voice  lingering  in  their  ears,  and 
your  presence  giving  a  charm  to  all  that  is  beautiful 
in  life  —  that  they  should  mean  nothing  1  Ah  I  I 
could  read  them  a  lesson. 

[/j  al>out  to  sit. 

Ethel. 

Ah  1  take  care  1     There's  a  teacup  on  that  chair. 

\Removes  it  to  table. 


90         JUS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOl'EKNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 
A  lesson  indeed  I  For  woman  is  never  won  by  the 
untutored  arrogance  of  a  premature  and  probably 
visionary  passion.  She  yields  only  tothe  self-surrender 
of  one  who  will  sacrifice  all  for  her,  who  would  make 
lier  life  a  day-dream  in  these  Islands,  who 

Ethel. 

You  know  —  I  think,  if  it  happened  three  times, 
I  should  have  to  speak  to  papa. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Have  no  fear.     I  will  ensure  that  they  don't  repeat 
their  offence. 

Ethel. 
It  wasn't  that.     I  thought  that 


Sir  Montagu. 

Ah  I  You  thought  the  tone  of  my  apology  a  trifle 
too  impassioned.  Perhaps,  in  natural  indignation,  I 
was  somewhat  at  sea. 

Ethel. 

You  seem  to  be  getting  into  the  same  boat  with 
the  others. 


HIS   EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERXOR         91 

Sir  Montagu. 

No,  no  I  Their  boat  has  foundered.  And  I  —  I 
have  only  just  set  sail. 

Enter  Stella. 

Stella. 
What  a  calm,  tranquil  evening  we're  having  1 

Ethel. 
[Doubt/uny.']   Yes. 

\_S/ie  go^s  out  by  the  verandah. 

Stella. 
So  tropical. 

Sir  Montagu. 
{Annoyed?^  Quite,  isn't  it  ? 

Stella. 

It  reminds  me  of  the  song,  "  Hast  thou  forgotten, 
love,  so  soon,  that  night,  that  lovely  night  in  June." 
Only  this  is  September,  and  love-songs  have  died  out. 
Sometimes  I  think  love  itself  will  die. 


92         HIS  EXCELLEsXCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 
That  is  not  my  experience. 

Stella. 

No.  You  were  always  an  optimist  in  these  mat- 
ters. \Looks  around  and  finds  that  Ethel  has  goneJl 
Ah  I     She's  gone,  Monty  ! 

Sir  Montagu. 
Hush  1 

Stella. 

Mont  —  agu,  I  think  Mr.  Carlton  is  going  to  —  to 
ask  me  to 

Sir  Montagu. 
Good  heavens  I     To  what  ? 

Stella. 
To  marry  him  1 

Sir  Montagu. 
Stella  1 

Stella. 

On  my  honour  I  shall  refuse  him.     I  haven't  led 


HIS  EXCELLF.XCY    TI/K    GOVERNOR         93 

him  on.  But  to-day  in  the  garden  I  plucked  a  rose 
and  a  thorn  stuck  in  my  hand.  Look  I  There's  the 
mark.  Well,  he  got  it  out  after  some  pressure. 
Then  presently  my  shoelace  came  undone,  and  that 
took  a  quarter  of  an  hour  to  tie.  Then  I  stupidly 
dropped  my  handkerchief,  and  he- — he  won't  give 
it  liack. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Stella  de  Gex  !    You  are  slowly,  I  may  say  rapidly, 
accomplishing  my  official  ruin. 


Stella. 

Indeed  —  indeed,  I'm  not.  Besides,  Mrs.  Boling- 
broke  says  he'll  only  marry  a  very  rich  woman,  and 
I'm  not  that.  I've  nothing  but  a  few  nice  frocks 
and  hats  and  things. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Stella,  for  the  sake  of  old  memories 


Carlton. 
[  Without.^     Where  is  the  Comtesse  ? 


94 


HIS   KXCJU.LKXCY     'J'l/J'-     COl'ERNOR 


Stella, 


Hush  1  Here  he  is.  You  may  trust  me.  I  shan't 
give  him  a  word  of  encouragement. 

Enter  Carlton.    He  does  not  see  Sir  Montagu. 

Carlton. 

So,  Comtesse,  at  last  we  are  alone.  [Sir  Montagu 
coughs  warningly,  and  Carlton  looks  round?^  Ah, 
Sir  Montagu!  How  did  the  rajahs  take  the  news 
of  the  reorganisation  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

Er  —  with  reserve.  By  noon  to-day  they  were  to 
proclaim  the  new  laws  to  their  people.  I  think,  had 
feeling  been  stirred,  we  should  have  heard  of  it  by 
now. 

Carlton. 

Yes,  probably. 

[Ethel  is  seen  outside  by  Sir  Montagu.     He 
Joins  her,  and  they  walk  off. 

Stella. 
So  you've  been  deserting  me  all  the  evening  ? 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR         y^ 

Carlton. 
It  is  wise  to  keep  out  of  danger. 

Stella. 

But  surely  all  old  heroes  —  I  should  say  "  heroes 
of  old  "  —  pined  for  the  life  of  peril,  not  of  safety. 
Remember,  a  woman  adores  valour,  artless  and 
shrinking  though  she  be. 

Carlton. 
"  Shrinking  "  has  not  been  in  evidence. 

Stella. 
One  may  shrink  inwardly,  like  —  like  a  walnut. 

Carlton. 

An  outsider  could  scarcely  perceive  the  process 
without  the  aid  of  the  Rontgen  rays. 

Stella. 

\Rises?\  I  must  ask  you  not  to  touch  on  what  I 
consider  a  scientific  indelicacy.  Sui'ely  one's  inner 
mechanism  should  be  sacred.  There  is  such  a  thing 
as  propriety. 


96         HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carlton. 

Propriety  is  a  curtain  we  all  peer  behind.  Its 
charm  lies  in  our  knowledge  of  what  it  conceals. 

Enter  .Sir  Montagu  excitedly,  followed  by  Mrs. 
BoLiNGBROKE  and  Ethel. 

Sir  Montagu. 

There's  a  horseman  dashing  up  the  drive  at  a 
gallop  ! 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

He's  a  soldier.  I  saw  a  scabbard  flash  in  the 
moonlight. 

Carlton. 

Strange,  at  this  late  hour. 

Ethel. 
He's  here,  and  reining  up. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Why,  it's  Rivers,  of  the  Midland  Fusiliers.  {^He 
leads  in  Captain  Rivers,  who  is  dressed  in  khaki 
uniform,  hrown  belts,  Cs^c,  puttees  and  spurs.   He  is  very 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY   77/E    GOVERNOR         97 

exhausted,  and  splashed  all  over  tvith  mud.  He  can 
scarcely  sj>eak.'\  Well,  Rivers  ?  Come,  my  dear 
fellow  1     What  has  happened  ? 

Enter  Carew  and  Baverstock  anxiously. 

Rivers. 
I've  galloped,  sir,  from  the  fort  to  tell  you.     The 
natives  have  risen  1 

All. 
\_In  horror^    The  natives  have  risen  I 

Rivers. 

I    never   reined   till ■     \Staggering?\^     Quick ! 

Wine  or  brandy ;  I'm  spent. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Bless  my  soul !     He's  not  wounded,  is  he  ? 

Stella. 
Here's  a  cup  of  coffee  in  the  meantime.     D'you 
take  sugar  and  cream  ? 

Rivers. 
Anything  —  either  —  both  1 


98         HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 
Then  you've  been  attacked  on  the  way  ? 

Rivers. 

No,  not  that.  The  night  is  dark,  and  I  didn't  see 
that  your  iron  gate  was  closed.  I  galloped  full 
against  it. 

Eftter  Carew  jvith  brandy. 

Sir  Montagu. 
My  poor  fellow  !     Ah  1  here's  the  brandy. 

Rivers. 

[Drinking.']  A  thousand  thanks  I  At  sunset  the 
natives  were  seen  gathering  in  masses  on  the  Palm 
Tree  Hills ;  the  troops  were  called  out  an  hour  ago, 
and  are  marching  to  meet  them.  It  is  said  this 
house  is  the  object  of  their  attack,  and  I've  come 
with  a  hundred  men  to  defend  it  for  you.  They'll 
be  here  at  any  moment. 

Carlton. 
The  enemy  ? 


JUS    EXCELLEACY    IIJJC    GOVERNOR 


99 


Rivers. 
No,  the  men.     I  passed  them  on  the  way.     I'm 
dead  beat.      I'll  be  all  right  presently.      I  never 
galloped  as  I've  galloped  to-night. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Rest  a  moment,  Rivers.     Give  him  more  brandy. 
[  The  others  close  round  Rivers  and  attend  to 
him. 

Carlton, 
\_To  Sir  Montagu.]     Do  you  realise  the  false 
position  in  which  I'm  placed  by  this  rising? 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  do,  fully.    You  ought  to  be  in  Downing  Street. 

Carlton. 
Of  course !  There  I  can  compel  attitudes  in 
others,  here  I  must  adopt  one  of  my  own,  the  very 
last  resource  of  the  statesman.  Besides,  I'm  travel- 
ling for  my  health.  You  are  of  opinion  that  the 
garrison  is  sufficiently  strong  to  repress  this  rising  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  am. 


joo       HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carlton. 
Then  let  us  hold  out.    I  shall  be  a  disappointment 
to  Exeter  Hall,  but  that  can't  be  helped.     Get  us 
out  of  this  difficulty,  and  your  elevation  to  the  peer- 
age is  practically  assured. 

Stella. 
[  To  Rivers.]     Can  I  bathe"your  wounds  ? 

Rivers. 
Thanks,  no.     They're  mere  scratches, 

Stella. 
I'm  so  sorry.     And  your  nice  uniform  all  spoilt ! 
Are  we  in  much  danger  ? 

Rivers. 
Possibly. 

Ladies. 
Ohl 

Rivers. 
I  hope  not.     I'm  better  now.     The  General  has 
left  a  clerk  at  the  Headquarters'  Office,  who  will  be 
in   constant  communication   with  you.      You  have 
telephonic  connection,  I  think? 


HIS   EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERNOR        loi 

Sir  Montagu. 
Yes,  yes  !     \_Pointing  to  telephone.']  It's  here. 

Rivers. 
He'll  ring  you  up  at  intervals  and  report. 

Stella. 
May  I  take  the  poker,  Montagu  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Oh  I  don't  worry,  at  such  a  moment. 

Stella. 

I  must  have  something,  you  know.  I've  never 
been  in  a  battle  before,  and  I  can't  meet  the  enemy 
with  a  parasol.     \_S/ie  takes  poker.'] 

Sir  Montagu. 

Will  the  ladies  be  good  enough  to  retire  to  their 
rooms  ? 

Mrs.   Bolingbroke. 

I  cannot  consent  to  go  until  I  know  to  what  extent 


102       HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

I  am  in  danger.     Ethel,  child,  hand  me  the  tongs. 
And  I  should  like  a  clergyman  sent  for  at  once. 

Carlton. 
Impossible,  Honoria.     There  is  no  time. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

I  insist  on  it.  The  late  General  Bolingbroke  al- 
ways said,  "  When  in  danger,  summon  the  nearest 
clergyman." 

Stella. 

And  I  refuse  to  go  to  my  room  in  the  tower. 
Perched  up  there,  with  bombshells  and  cannons  fall- 
ing round  me  1     No,  thank  you  ! 

\A  sound  of  men  marching  is  heard. 

Rivers. 

Ah  1  here  are  the  men. 

Officer. 
[  Without?^  Halt  I     Front !     Stand  at  ease  1 

\_A  number  of  men  are  seen  to  halt  in  the 
verandah.  They  wear  ordinary  infantry 
uniform  with   7vhite  helmets. 


HJS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR        103 

Stella. 

\To  Rivers.]  Please  ask  them  not  to  stand  at  ease 
when  we're  in  such  danger. 

Rivers. 

\To  Sir  Montagu.]  I  think,  sir,  if  you  and  Carew 
will  show  me  over  the  grounds,  I'll  dispose  my  men 
at  once. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Yes,  by  all  means.     We'll  point  out  everything. 

Rivers. 

\Goes  to  Terandah.'l  Then  I'll  march  off,  sir.  At- 
tention !     Shoulder  arms  I     Quick  march  1 

[^ExJt  RiVKRS  and  Soldiers. 


Stella. 
It's  most  unfortunate  that  I've  never 
made  a  will. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

No  one  is  so  unreasonable  as  a  man  ! 

Ethel. 
We   can't    do   any  good  by  talking. 
Aunt ;  we  ought 


1 


All 

talking 

>■      at  the 

same  time 

excitedly. 


104       HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 

I  beseech  you,  ladies,  be  calm  1  If  we  come  to 
close  quarters,  I'll  ensure  your  safety.  I  can  con- 
ceal you  in  the  coal  cellar. 

Stella. 

I  go  to  no  coal  cellar  in  this.  Why,  I've  only 
worn  it  twice  1 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

I  have  no  desire  to  give  trouble,  but  a  more 
suitable  fortress  would  be  the  wine  cellar. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Well,  well,  we'll  see.  Perhaps,  Carlton,  you  won't 
mind  examining  the  cellars  and  deciding.  Bayer- 
stock  will  take  you.  Come  along,  Carew  I  \^He goes  out. 

Carew. 

Coming,  sir.  \Aside  to  Ethel.]  It's  all  right, 
Ethel.  Cheer  up  1  It's  glorious  to  take  up  arms  for 
you,  darling  !  \Exit  Carew  hurriedly. 

Baverstock. 
[Advanc'fig  to  Ethel.]     As  a  signal  to  you  that 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR       105 

there  is  no  immediate  danger,  I  shall  blow  my 
nightingale  at  intervals  in  the  garden.  And  when 
the  hour  of  danger  comes,  you  will  find  me  in 


Carlton. 

[  Who  is  ivaithig  at  r/oor.']  The  cellars  1  Mr.  Baver- 
stock ! 

Baverstock. 
Coming,  sir. 

[Carlton  (7n^/  Baverstock  go  out. 

Stella. 

They've  left  us  all  alone.  We  must  do  something. 
I'll  ask  the  Sentry.  \Goes  to  doonvay?\  Sentry, 
please  ?     Are  you  there  ?     No,  he's  gone  too. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
I  thinlc  we  might  erect  a  barricade  somewhere. 

Stella. 

A  capital  idea  I  How  clever  you  are,  Mrs.  Boling- 
broke 1  Let's  barricade  something.  Shall  we  do 
the  door  ? 


io6       ///.V  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOl'ERXOK 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

The  door  will  do  to  begin  with.  Ethel,  assist  me 

with  the  table.     \Aside  to  Ethel.]  It's  unfortunate 

having    to    form  a  triple  alliance  with    this  odious 
woman. 

Ethel. 
But,  Aunt,  ought  we  to  do  this  without  asking  ? 

\TIiey    are    now    busily  engaged  in  J>iiing   tip 
tables,  (Svr.,  in  front  of  doorway. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

Certainly,  child.  Nothing  is  so  desirable  in  danger 
as  safety. 

Stella. 

Here's  Mr.  Baverstock's  chair.  Will  some  one  give 
me  a  hand  ?  [Ethel  /leips  Jier?^  Thank  you  so  much. 
Now  these  chairs  and  things  —  I  feel  just  like  Joan 
of  Arc,  only  she  had  a  costume  of  armour.  I  wish  I 
had,  though  it  sounds  rather  cold.  There,  we're 
getting  on  beautifully. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Hand  me  these  palms,  Ethel. 


HIS  F.XCKLLEXCY    THF.    GOVKRXOR        107 

Ethel. 
These  !     Why,  surely,  Aunt 


Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Do  as  I  bid  you.      \Crossiug  zvith  palm^follouied  by 
Ethel  7vith  cifiot/ier.^  General  Bolingbroke  always  said 
the  War  Office  had  great  faith  in  creating  obstacles- 
Now  bolt  the  windows. 

[Ethel  bo/fs  windo^vs.  Stella  goes  to  close 
the  gates,  Ethel  helping  her.  The  gate 
sticks. 

Stella. 

Never  mind.     That'll  keep  out  a  lot  of   people. 
[^Telephone  beil  rings.']     There's  the  telephone.     Shall 

I ?     Yes,  some  one  must  attend  to  it.     [  With 

receiver  at  ear.]  Yes,  here  I  am.  No,  I'm  not  Sir 
Montagu,  but  I'll  tell  him.  What?  The  enemy  is 
advancing  with  great  caution  ?  Yes,  tell  the  General 
to  be  sure  and  stop  them. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Ask  for  a  clergyman. 

Stella. 
Yes.     Hiffh  or  Low  ? 


loS        J/JS   J:XCKIJJ:.\CY    TJU-l    CO  V E R .\'0 li 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Moderately  Higli,  please. 

Stella. 
Yes.     Are  you  there?     We  want  a  clergyman  sent 
up  at  once,  please,  moderately  High.     What?     You 
can't  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
They  must. 

Stella. 
Mrs.  Bolingbroke  says  you  must.     Who  is  she  ? 
She's  the  sister  of  Mr.   Carlton,  the  Cabinet  Min- 
ister. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
You  might  mention  that  my  late  husband  was  a 
general. 

Stella. 
Yes.      Her  husband  was  a  general.     What  ?     No, 
not  in  the  Salvation  Army.     Oh  1  how  dare  you  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
What  did  he  say  ? 

Stella, 
It  sounded  like  a  request  to  give  that  information 


niS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERNOR        109 

to  tlie  Marines,  and  he's  gone  away.     \Puts  up  re- 

ce'ner?^ 

Mrs.    BOLIXGBROKE. 

Impertinent  man  ! 

Stella. 
Isn't  the  barricade  splendid  !    Now  we  can  breathe 
more  freely. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\^His  voice  Jieard  behinii  barricadt'?^     \\'hat  on  earth 
is  all  this  for  ? 

Stella.  • 

It's  a  barricade.     We  did  it  all  ourselves. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Absurd  1      I  can't  get  in. 

Stella. 

Of    course  you    can't.     We  built   it  to  keep  out 
enemies  and  people. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

I  think,  Sir   Montagu,  if  }ou  saw   it  from   here, 
you'd  like  it. 


no       hJS   KXCELLEACY    JI/E    C0]T-:RN0R 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  shall  have  it  removed.  \^He  appears  on  top  of 
barricade^  Now  I'm  here.  I  see  no  prospect  of 
getting  down,  and  I  may  tell  you  that  we're  in  the 
most  imminent  danger.  \_Hc  tries  to  get  down,  hut 
finds  the  structure  too  s/iaky,  and  remains  on  top.] 

All. 
Imminent  danger  ! 

Sir  Montagu. 

Yes.      I  believe  I  heard  a  volley. 
« 

Stella. 
A  volley  !     Then  I'm  off  ! 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
To  the  cellars  !     To  the  cellars  1 

[Stella  rushes  out,follo7oedby  Mrs.  Boling- 
broke. Ethel  is  followitig  them,  and  has 
almost  reached  the  door,  when  Sir  Mon- 
tagu speaks  to  her.      She  stops. 

Sir  Montagu. 
\_Stin  on   top   of  barricade^     One   moment,   Miss 
Carlton.      The   danger   is   not  really  imminent,  and 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOl-ERXOR        iii 

the  volley  was  a  mere  device  to  get  the  others  away. 
I  wish  to  say  in  this,  the  last  moment  that  we  may 
be  alone,  that  since  I  have  met  you  I  have  been 
raised  and  elevated  to  a  higher  sphere  of  existence. 
I  know  that  to  make  love  when  one  is  elderly  is  like 
singing  a  song  of  youth  when  the  voice  is  gone  ; 
but,  Ethel,  I  love  you,  and  I  know  that  you  are  too 
pure  and  good  to  despite  a  passion  that  is  at  its 
height.  \Nearly  falls ^t^  I  do  not  ask  you  to  answer 
me  now.  This  is  an  hour  for  deeds,  not  words,  and 
I  feel  a  certain  inconvenience  in  addressing  you  from 
this  structure.  [Nightingale  heard  singitig.']  Hark  ! 
—  a  nightingale  singing  a  love-song  to  the'  moon  1 

Ethel. 
I  don't  think  it's  a  real  nightingale. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Oh  yes,  I  know  the  bird.     Its  nest  is  in  the  aloes. 

Go  to  the   protection  of  your  father.     I  shall  keep 

watch  over  both   of  you.     Don't   speak  1     I    can't 

bear  it ! 

Ethel. 

Then  —  good-night,  Sir  Montagu. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Oood-night,  child  ;  good-night. 


112        HJS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

{Bird  again  heard.  Sir  Montagu  sits  on  top 
of  barricade  pensively  gazing  at  the  moon. 
The  barricade  is  so  arranged  that  at  the  foot 
of  it  is  a  couch.  As  Ethel  turns  to  go, 
Carew  appears.  She  holds  up  a  warning 
finger  to  him  and  sinks  on  couch.  He,  un- 
seen /^_v  Sir  Montagu,  creeps  over,  sits  be- 
side her  and  embraces  her. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\As  the  nightingale  continues  singing,  and  believing 
himself  to  be  alone.']  Strange,  that  though  the  very 
air  is  charged  with  impending  disaster,  I  can  only 
think  of  her.  Sing  on,  sweet  nightingale,  sing  me 
your  song  of  love  ?  Pure  angel,  to  whom  the  clasp 
of  loving  arms  is  as  yet  unknowm.  Then  sing,  sweet 
nightingale,  sing  on  ! 

{The    nightingale   suddenly    stops.    '  The    door 

opens    and    Baverstock    enters   with    the 

.  nightingale  and  a  glass  of  water.     He  begins 

blowitig  it  vigorously,  to  the  amazetnent  of 

Sir  Montagu. 


END    OF    THE    SECOND    ACT. 


THE   THIRD   ACT. 


Scene:  —  As  be/ore,  except  that  the  barricade  is  twtv 
removed. 

As  the  curtain  rises,  Sir  Montagu  is  discovered  at 
writing-table.  Baverstock,  an  Orderly,  and  a 
Clerk  are  in  attendance. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Headquarters  Office  immediately.  {^Hands paper  to 
Baverstock.]  Have  that  put  into  code  at  once.  Bring 
me  the  Colonial  Office  rules  and  regulations.  [Clerk, 
Orderly,  and  Baverstock  go  out.  Telephone-bell  rings. 
With  receiver  to  his  car.']  Yes,  yes.  I'm  Sir  Montagu. 
Quite  so.  You  say  there  is  no  immediate  danger  ? 
Excellent !  D'you  know,  I  think  you  might  send  up 
another  hundred  men  as  a  reinforcement.  Eh  ?  Yes. 
one  hundred.     I  won't  tell  Captain  Rivers  ;  he  mii^lu 


114       I^^S  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

consider  it  a  slight  on  his  men's  efficiency,  and  on  his 
own.  What?  Eh?  Yes,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Kildare.  Quite  so.  At  once.  \_Puts  up  receiver.'] 
Thank  Heaven  !  The  rebellion  seems  to  be  almost 
over.  And  Kildare,  who  is  to  bring  the  reinforce- 
ments, is  a  thorough  soldier. 

Butler. 

\Entering7\     Beg  your   pardon,   your  Excellency, 
might  I  speak  to  you  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Certainly,  Groves. 

Butler. 

'Aving  just  'eard  as  'ostilities  may  take  place  at  any 
moment,  sir,  I  think  it  right  to  inform  you  that  I 
engaged  myself  this  morning  to  Miss  Spinks. 
I 

Sir  Montagu. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke's  maid  I     Bless  my  soul,  Groves, 
this  is  very  sudden  ! 

Butler. 
Yes,  your  Excellency.     I  was  took  quite  of  a  heap. 


BIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR       115 

Sir  Montagu. 
Dear,  dear  1 

Butler. 

Yes,  sir.  But  what  I  want  to  bring  to  your  Excel- 
lency's notice  is  the  behaviour  of  the  sentry.  Instead 
of  doin'  'is  dooty  up  and  down  'is  beat,  'e's  bin  standin' 
at  ease  under  them  aloes  for  the  last  'alf  hour,  beneath 
my  Jiancee^s  window,  singin'  "  I  want  yer,  ma  honey, 
yes.  Idol" 

Sir  Montagu. 

Most  extraordinary  !     I'll  inquire  into  this,  Groves. 

Butler. 

Thank  you,  sir.  [^Goes  fotvards  door.']  Idon'twisli 
'im  no  'arm,  sir.     P'r'aps  'e  was  took  sudden-like  too. 

[Exif. 

Sir  Montagu. 

This  is  very  remarkable.  A  midsummer  madness 
is  clearly  in  the  air.     I  cannot,  of  course,  believe  that 

I  myself    am    affected,   but \Listeniiig  intently i\ 

Yes  ?  a  woman's  footstep  1  She  —  Ethel  —  is  coming 
here  !     I  know  her  tread  amid  a  thousand. 

{^Arranges  tic,  cuffs,  and  stnooths  luiir.] 


ii6       II fS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Mrs.  Bolingkroke  enters. 
Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Ah,  Sir  Montagu  1     Well,  what  news  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

\^Disappo'mtcd?[  None,  so  far.  You  ought  to  be  in 
your  room. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

I  have  ventured  here  in  search  of  my  anti-epidemic 
tabloids.  I  lost  them  last  night,  and  I  feel  so  peculiar. 
[Sir  Montagu  looks  about  for  t/2et?i.'\  No,  pray  don't 
trouble  to  look  for  them,  for  I  see  you're  worried. 
Come,  sit  here  by  me.  Let  us  forget  for  a  moment 
the  peril  we  are  in  and  talk  of  other  things.  Do  you 
know,  in  many  ways  you  remind  me  of  dear  General 
Bolingbroke.  He  was  extremely  good-looking  and 
quite  devoted  to  me. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Was  he  ?  [Aside]  She's  showing  all  the  symptoms. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Do  you  never  feel  how  desirable  it  is  that  some 


HIS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR        117 

good  woman,  not  too  young,  should  dispense  your 
hospitality    here,    sharing   your   joys    and    sorrows, 

sharing 

Sir  Montagu. 
The  expenses  ? 

Mrs.     BOLIXGBROKE. 

Possibly.  [»S>^//j.]  Are  you  feeling  better  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Not  appreciably,  thank  you. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
How  shall  I  soothe  you  ?     Shall  I   tell  you  of  an 
enchanting  dream  that  came  to  me  last  night  ?     It 
was  the  soft  spring  twilight  of  a  leafy  June,  and  we 
—  you  and  I  —  were  young  again. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Really  ? 

Mrs.  Bolingbrokf. 
The  moon,  in  a  bridal  veil  of  falling  dew 

Sir  Montagu. 

Oh  !     The  moon  was  up.  was  she  ? 


ii8       His  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

Yes,  and  we  were  bathed  in  its  sheen.  Then  —  do 
not  forget  this  is  only  a  dream  — we  found  ourselves 
chained  with  garlands  of  aloe  blossoms. 

Sir  Montagu. 
\\.  is  the  aloes  ! 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
And  as  the  sun  rose 

Sir  Montagu. 
Excuse  me,  the  moon. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Ah  no  1  for  dawn  was  breaking. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Forgive  me,  but  reall\-  —  where  are  those  tabloids  ? 
\^Rises  and  looks  about.'] 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 

And  then  the  scene  changed.  We  had  both  grown 
older.     The  church  was  decked  with  white  blossoms. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    77/ E    GO]'ERXOK       no 

You  and  I  and  the  clerg}man  stood  —  and  then,  oh  ! 
Montagu.  \Leaning  her  head  on  his  shoulder^  What 
has  come  over  me  ?  \Enter  Carew  and  Baverstock. 
She  starts  away  from  Sir  Montagu.]  Oh !  Ah ! 
—  we  were  looking  for  my  tabloids. 

Baverstock. 

So  I  saw. 

Carew. 
Why,  here  they  are  !      {Takes  thetn  from  table.'] 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Thank  you  so  much.     {Takes  one,  and  leaves  the  box 
on  table.] 

Sir  Montagu. 
Mrs.  Bolingbroke  was  —  er  —  er 

Baverstock. 
Precisely. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
[Much  embarrassed.]     I  was   dreaming  —  and  — 
well,  you  know,  —  er  —  good-night  1 

[Baverstock  opens  the  door  and  Mrs.  Boli no- 
broke  y7«//V;'j"  oitf. 


I20       JUS   KXCELLEXCV    THE    GO  I  ERA  OR 

Sir  Montagu. 

Just  in  time !  Phew  1  Gentlemen,  absurd  as  it 
may  seem,  I  verily  believe  that  an  epidemic  of  love  is 
raging,  and,  for  aught  I  know,  these  accursed  aloes 
are  the  cause. 

Carew. 

I  doubt  it,  sir,  for  in  that  case  eveiy  one  —  guests, 
servants,  soldiers,  and  so  on  —  would  be  equally 
affected.     And  there's  no  sisrn  of  that. 


Sir  Montagu. 

No    sign  1       Why [Sentry's    voice   is   heard 

sitigi/ig  the  chorus  of  '■'■  I  want  yer,  ma  honey,  yes,  I 
do  r'  All  listen  intently  and  remain  mute  till  refrain 
is  07'er.'\  There  you  are.  He  wants  her,  his  honey, 
yes,  he  does  ! 

Carew. 

Still,  there's  Mr.  Carlton  and  the  Comtesse,  they're 
cjuite  normal. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Oh  !  Are  they  ?  I'm  surprised  to  hear  it.  How- 
ever, be  that  as  it  may,  there  is  one  subject  on  which 
I   must   touch  now  that  we   are   alone.     You  have 


HIS  EXCELLEXCY    TIIIC    GOVERXOR        m\ 

both  elected  to  propose  to  a  guest  of  mine.     I  ask 
you,  was  this  loyal  of  you  ? 

Carew. 
It  was  to  save  you  from  yourself,  sir. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Pooh!  Nonsense.  However,  the  situation  is  a 
painful  one,  and  must  be  ended.  I  propose  to  invite 
her  to  make  a  selection  now.  \^Rings  be//.']  For  this 
occasion  I  place  you  on  an  equal  footing  with  myself. 
[Both  bow.  Enter  Footman.]  Present  my  compli- 
ments to  Miss  Carlton,  and  ask  her,  if  she  has  not 
already  retired,  to  be  good  enough  to  come  here  for 
a  moment. 

Footman. 

Yes,  your  Excellency.  \Exit. 

Sir  Montagu. 

I  would  suggest  that  we  all  adopt  a  calm  and 
dignified  demeanour.  [  Observing  Baverstock,  ivho  is 
spinning  a  chair.]    What  are  you  doing,  Baverstock  ? 

Baverstock. 
For  luck,  sir. 


122        ins   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carew. 

What  rot !      As  if  doing  this  —  \}ie  spms  chair\  — 
could  affect  her  choice  I 

Sir  Montagu. 

Extremely    silly    superstition.       Still \^Spins 

c/iaJr.'\ 

\_As  all  three  are  sphining  chairs^  Ethel  enters. 
They  drop  their  chairs  simultaneously. 

Ethel. 
You  want  me,  Sir  Montagu  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  do,  indeed.     I  have  a  painful  conMnunication  to 
make  to  you.     From  what  transpired  to-night,  you 
will  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that  you  are  an  object 
of  —  er  —  affection  to 

Baverstock. 
To  the  present  company. 

Sir  Montagu. 
We  are  unanimous  on  that  point.     There,  however, 
unanimity  ends  and  the  question  of  aUotment  intrudes 


JUS  EXCELLK.ycy  Tin:  corEAWOR      u.} 

itself.  You  have,  in  short,  to  choose  which  of  us 
you  will  honour  with  the  priceless  treasure  of  your 
love. 

Ethel. 

Surely,  Sir  Montagu,  such  a  proceeding  is  unheard 
of!      And  in  such  a  time  of  danger 

Sir  Montagu. 

I  admit  your  difficulty.  The  knowledge  that  you 
can't  avoid  breaking  two  out  of  three  hearts  is,  no 
doubt,  disconcerting.  That,  however,  is  not  your 
fault.  The  thing  is  to  avoid  breaking  the  most 
important  heart. 

Ethel. 

Are  you  really  serious  ? 

All. 
Quite. 

Ethel. 
And  you,  Mr.  Baverstock  ? 

Baverstock. 

I  have  a  presentiment  that  I  shall  not  be  selected 
but  I  remain  a  candidate. 


124       J'i^"^  I'.XCELLEXCY    THE    GOFERA'OR 

Carew. 
Come,  Miss  Carlton,  won't  you  choose  ? 

Ethel. 
Yott  ask  me  ? 

Carew. 

Yes,  I  have  no  fear.  I  see  before  us  years  of 
happiness,  years  of  devotion  on  my  part,  years 
of 

Baverstock. 

Look  here  1  Play  the  game  I  You  can't  begin 
like  that  before  the  flag's  down. 

Ethel. 

Very  well  then,  I'll  choose.     I  choose 


Baverstock. 

[Excitedly.']  One  moment !  The  air  is  stifling,  and 
I'm  parched.  [Goes  to  the  side  table  and  gulps  do7V7i 
a  brandy-a fid-soda.']     Now  —  now  I'm  ready. 

Ethel. 
Then  I  choose 


his  excelleacy  the  goverxor      1^5 

Baverstock. 

Stop  I  I  omitted  to  tell  you  that,  if  two  uncles 
and  a  few  cousins  die  suddenly.  I  succeed  to  a 
peerage. 

Ethel. 
That  could  never  affect  my  choice,  for  I   love  — 

I  love 

\^Telephone-ben    ri/igs.      All    start,    and    Sir 
MoNTAc;u   goes  precij'itately    to    receiver^ 
foUinved  by  Baverstock. 

Sir  Montagu. 
\To   Ethel.]      Excuse   me  one    moment.      Duty 
before  pleasure. 

Carew. 
News  from  the  General ! 

\The  excitement  caused  by  the  bell  ringing 
brittgs  the  three  men  to  the  telephone. 
Ethel  takes  advantage  of  their  backs  being 
turned  to  slip  out  0/  the  room.  At  the  same 
time  Carlton  enters  and  quietly  takes  the 
chair  she  has  Tacated.'\ 

Sir  Montagu. 
{With  receiver  at  ear.]     Yes,   I'm  Sir   Montagu. 


126      UIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

What  ?  You  say  it  is  desirable  to  put  out  all  lights 
here  ?  I'll  have  it  done  at  once.  Thank  you. 
\^Retiirns  receiver?^     Then,  Miss  Carlton 

\AH  look  round  and  find  that  Ethel  has  dis- 
appeared, and  Carlton  is  seated  in  her 
chair.     They  are  much  embarrassed.'] 

Carlton. 
Have  you  cabled  to  Downing  Street  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

[Going  to  7i>ritirig-tal>/e.]     I  have  just  drafted  this. 

[Pichs  up  paper. 

Carlton. 

What  have  you  said .'' 

Sir  Montagu. 
[Reading?^     Merely  "  Natives  have  risen  over  new 
marriage  laws.     Please  cable  instructions,  pending 
which  I  shall  assert  British  supremacy  in  conjunc- 
tion with  Mr.  Carlton,  who  arrived  here  yesterday." 

Carlton. 
H'm — er  —  suppress  my  name  in  the  meantime. 
You  see,  my  presence  in  ill-health  is  equivalent  t  i 
official  absence.     In  fact,  I  am  not  here. 


I 


HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR       127 

Sir  Montagu. 

As  you  please.  {Strikes  out  n'Oft/s  on  draft  tele- 
gram.    To  Carew.]     Theie,  )ou  understand. 

Carew. 

Perfectly,  sir. 

Sir  Montagu. 

I  think,  Mr.  Carlton,  we  need  apprehend  no  dan- 
ger for  the  night.  I  would  suggest  that,  as  no  doubt 
you're  exhausted,  you  should  retire. 

Carlton. 

I'll  stretch  myself  here  for  the  night,  if  you  don't 
mind.     The  sentry  gives  a  sense  of  securit)-. 

Sir  Montagu. 

Do  so  by  all  means.  Gentlemen,  we  must  ask  for 
Miss  Carlton's  decision  later.  And  now,  where  do 
you  take  up  position,  Baverstock  ? 

Baverstock. 

I.  thought,  sir,  of  sleeping  in  the  passage  near 
Miss  Carlton's  room. 


128       HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 
Eh? 

Baverstock. 
That  would  ensure  the  safety  of  the  ladies. 

Carew. 

On  the  contrary,  they're  extremely  likely  to  trip 
over  you. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\Taking  cable  from  Carew  and  giving  it  to  Baver- 
stock.]    Let  that  cable  go  at  once. 

\Exit  Baverstock. 

Carlton.     - 

One  moment.  I'll  stretch  myself.  \Lies  down  on 
couch,  having  taken  off  his  coat.'\  I  never  slept  so 
soundly  as  on  an  occasion  some  years  ago,  when  I 
ordered  a  flying  squadron  to  the  Mediterranean  at 
twenty-four  hours'  notice.  My  decisive  action,  how- 
ever, had  a  wide-awake  effect  on  the  Admiralty. 

Sir  Montagu. 

\^To  Carew.]  Carew,  we'll  make  a  tour  of  the  out- 
buildings.    You're  quite  ready,  Mr.  Carlton  ? 


HIS  EXCt:LLEN'CY    THE    GOVERNOR       129 

Carlton. 
Quite, 

Sir  Montagu. 
Then  good-night, 

[Carew  tiaiis  off  lights.  The  stage  is  nrnt)  in 
darkness  except  without,  which  is  in  moon- 
light. 

Carlton, 
Good-night.     If  anything  happens 

Sir  Montagu. 

We'll  let  you  know.     Now,  Carew,  softly. 

\He  goes  out,  followed  by  Carew. 

Carlton, 

Alone  1  Ah  !  another  instance  of  splendid  isola- 
tion, A  remarkabjy  uncomfortable  couch.  I  seem 
to  have  disturbed  a  public  meeting  of  mosquitoes. 

Sentry, 
[  Voice  in  the  distance?^     Halt  I  who  goes  there  ? 

(Carlton. 
\Starting.\      Eh  ? 


I30       HIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Sentry. 
Pass,  friend  I     All's  well ! 

Carlton. 

Ah,  the  Sentry.      [  Yawns,  turns   on    side,  gives  a 
genile  snore,  and  drops  askej>.'\ 

[Sentry  looks  in,  then  passes  out  of  sight.  The 
door  opens  and  Stella  enters  in  a  white 
tea-gow?i,  carrying  a  lighted  candle  and  the 
poker. 

Stella. 

l^Not  seeing  Carlton,  who  is  asleep."]     Dear  me  1 
Pitch  darkness  I 

Enter  Rivers  cautiously  at  back.      The  following  in 
loud  stage  whispers. 

Rivers. 
Hushl 

Stella. 

[Alarmed.']     Who  is  it  ?     Stand,  or  I  fire, 

Rivers. 
Hushl 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR        131 

Stella. 
Who  is  it  ?     Enemies,  or  what  ? 

Rivers. 

Hush  I  It's  I  —  Rivers.  It's  all  right.  I'm  looking 
for  a  spot  to  post  a  picket.  The  verandah,  I  think 
will  do.     You'd  better  go  to  your  room. 

Stella. 
No.     I  decline  to  occupy  the  tower  any  longer.    It 
I  must  be  bombarded,  I  prefer  bombardment  on  the 
ground-floor.     Besides,  I've  got  this. 

Rivers. 
What? 

Stella. 

The  poker.  It  isn't  exactly  a  graceful  weapon,  but 
I've  had  some  useful  practice  upstairs  on  a  bolster. 

Rivers. 

Hush  !  here  is  the  Sentry.  Put  out  the  light.  \^He 
blows  out  the  candle.'] 

[Sentry  appears,  looks  in  suspiciously,  and 
passes  on. 


132        HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

'  Rivers. 

I  must  see  Sir  Montagu  about  the  picket.  Where 
is  he  ? 

Stella. 
Through  there,  I  think,  in  his  office. 

Rivers. 
Then  I'll  leave  you.     You  want  rest. 

Stella. 

Yes,  please.  \As  he  is  goingP^  Of  course  you 
understand  that  this  costume,  though  white,  is  a  tea- 
gown  ? 

Rivers. 
Quite  so. 

\He  disappears  along  verandah. 

Stella. 

And  now  for  such  rest  as  ^s  possible.  \She  arrattges 
herself  cotnfortably  in  a  cane  chair. "] 

Sentry. 

\Looking  in  searchingly.^  Halt  1  Who  goes 
there  ? 


HIS   EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERXOR        133 

Baverstock. 
[/«  the  distancej^     Friend  1 

Sentry. 

Pass,  friend  I  All's  well  !  [Baverstock  appears  at 
back.  The  follcnving  scene  ill  hiud  stage  whispers?\^  Beg 
pardon,  sir,  there's  somethin'  bin  movin'  inside.  I 
think  it's  native  spies. 

Baverstock. 
Good  heavens  I     In  there  ? 

Sentry. 
Yes,  sir. 

Baverstock. 

Ha  I  Well —  look  here —  your  rifle's  loaded,  isn't 
it? 

Sentry. 
Yes,  sir. 

Baverstock. 

Good  1  Follow  me.  No,  you  go  first.  I'll  turn  on 
the  light  suddenly,  you  cover  them  with  your  rifle. 

Sentry. 

Right,  sir. 


134       tJIS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERNOR 

Baverstock. 
Now  softly ! 

\They  enter  on  tiptoe,  Baverstock  following 
Sentry,  He  goes  to  electric  switch.  The 
Sentry  stands  with  his  rifle  at  shoulder 
as  for  firing. 

Stella. 
[/;/  stage  whisper?^     Whatever's  happening  ? 

Carlton. 
\Jn  stage  whisper,  and  sitting  up.'\  Is  this  a  dream  ? 

Stella. 
There  —  yes,  I  see  two  crawling  somethings. 

Carlton. 
Bless  my  soul  I     Figures  groping  in  the  dark  1 

Stella. 

What,  oh  what  shall  I  do  ?  Ah  1  the  door  I  [Gets 
down  from  chair  on  hands  and  knees  a?id  creeps  towards 
door.'j 


HIS  KXCELLEK-CY    THE    GOl'EKXOR        135 

Carlton. 

The  natives  are  on  us  !      \Gets  do7i'n  from  couch  on 

haniis  and  kn^ies.'^ 

Baverstock. 
[S//7/  m  a  7i.ihisper^     Are  you  ready? 

Sentry. 
Yes,  sir. 

Baverstock. 

Go  !  \Turns  up  lights  and  discovers  Stella  and 
Carlton  on  their  knees  opposite  to  each  other. '\  Mr. 
Carlton  1  Comtesse  !  —  I  beg  a  thousand  pardons  1 
\  Turns  the  light  0^.] 

Sentry. 
Shall  I  fire,  sir  ? 

Baverstock. 
Certainly  not. 

Carlton. 

[/"onc/erouslj'.]  Turn  on  the  light  I  [Baverstock 
turns  on  light  and  the  Sentry,  recognising  Carlton, 
conit-s  to  attention  and  presents  arms.]      The  situation. 


136       HIS   EXCELLENCY    THE    COlLiRA'OK 

compromising  as  it  may  seem,  is  in  reality  childishly 
simple. 

Stella. 

Hadn't  we  better  get  off  our  knees  ?  I  desire  to 
point  out  that  this  garment,  though  white,  is  a  tea.- 
gown. 

Carlton. 

The  fact  is,  I  found  it  impossible  to  rest  in  my 
room  ;  and  we  —  er  —  came  here 

Stella. 
Separately. 

Carlton. 

\lo  Baverstock.]  Oblige  me  by  requesting  your 
military  assistant  to  retire. 

Baverstock. 
yro  Sentry.]    Go  away. 

Sentry. 
Yes,  sir. 

\Shoulders  arms^  grins  broadly,  and  marches  off, 

Baverstock. 
It  seems  we  mistook  each  other  for  hostile  natives. 


HJS  EXCELLEXCY    TJIK    GOVERNOR        137 

Stella. 
Exactly.     But  we're  not  so  black  as  we're  painted. 

Baverstock. 

\Going  up  to  back  of  writing-table  and  lighting 
candles?!^  I'm  afraid  it  is  my  duty  to  turn  off  the 
lights  for  safety's  sake.     But  here  are  candles. 

Sir  Montagu. 
[  Without.]     Mr.  Baverstock  I 

Baverstock. 
Sir  Montagu's  voice.     Will  you  excuse  me  ? 

Stella. 
With  pleasure. 

Carlton. 

And  remember  the  attitude  in  which  you  —  er  — 
surprised  us 

Baverstock. 

Was  too  devotional  nut  to  be  perfectly  respectable. 

[^He  bows  solemnly  and  goes  out. 


I3<S       JUS   KXCELLEXCV    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carlton. 
\_With  relief :\     Ah  I 

Stella. 

I  feel  that  we  have  reached  a  point  at  which  any 
self-respecting  woman  must  inevitably  burst  into 
tears.     Do  you  mind  ? 

Carlton. 
I  should  feel  it  very  deeply. 

Stella. 

We  met  by  accident,  we  must  part  by  design. 
Good-night  1 

Carlton. 

One  moment  I  I  see  the  hand  of  Destiny  in  this 
nocturnal  adventure.  Comtesse  —  Stella  —  may  I 
call  you  Stella  ? 

Stella. 

[  Very  defnurely.'\  Oh,  yes.  It's  my  name,  you 
know.  Would  you  mind  putting  on  your  coat  ?  I 
make  it  a  rule  never  to  speak  to  anybody  without 
one  in  the  evening. 


HIS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR       139 

Carlton. 

Certainly.  \Geis  coat  and  puts  it  on, 

* 

Stella. 
I'll  look  another  way.     Let  me  know  when  you 
are  ready. 

Carlton. 
It  is  on. 

Stella. 
Thank  you  so  much, 

Carlton. 
At  my  time  of  life  it  is  not  easy  to  speak  with  the 
burning  enthusiasm  of  a  younger  man. 

Stella. 
Oh  !  then  you're  going  to  say  something  out  of 
the  common. .    There's  a  way.  you  know,  of  inducing 
riuency,  only  I  scarcely  like  to  suggest  it. 

Carlton. 
Hav^e  no  fear,  Stella. 

Stella. 
I've   heard  it   said    that   it's    a  very  good    thinj: 
to 


140        HIS  EXCELLENCY    TLIE    GOVERNOR 

Carlton. 
Yes.     To  what  ? 

Stella. 
To  get  a  firm  grasp  of  the  subject. 

Carlton. 
I  see.     Then  may  I  take  the  liberty? 

Stella. 

If  it  will  help  you.  \^He  puts  Jiis  arm  round  her 
wajst!\  O  Liberty  I  What  crimes  are  committed 
in  thy  name  I 

Carlton. 

Stella —  I  ask  you  to  be  my  -wife. 

Stella. 

O  Henry  I  Tell  me  —  is  it  because  I  am  a  woman 
of  wealth  ? 

Carlton. 
Wealth  1    No  1    I  seek  the  violet,  not  the  marigold. 

Stella. 

I'm  not  —  not  much  of  a  violet,  you  know.  Nor 
because  I  am  a  woman  of  rank  ? 


UJS   F.XCELLEXCY    THE    UOIERXOK        i^i 

Carlton. 
Rank  !     Of  course  not. 

Stella. 
Well,  then,  Henry  —  I  am  yours. 

Enter  Sir  yioi^iKCA} ,  follo7i<ed by  Carew  and  Baver- 
STOCK,  all  carrying  lighted  candles. 

Sir  Montagu. 
\Seeing  Carlton,]    Ah  I    I  fear  we  disturb  you. 

Stella. 
Monty  1 

Sir  Montagu. 

Oh,  woman  1  Rivers  wants  to  post  a  picket  here. 
\Stiddenly  a  volley  is  heard^\  Good  heavens !  We  are 
attacked!  [A  second  volley.  All  Idow  out  candles  and 
take  shelter  behi?id  various  pieces  of/urniture.^ 

Carlton. 
Hark  again  ! 

Baverstock. 
Merciful  powers  !     What's  to  be  done  ? 


142        Jns    EXCEL!. EA'CY    THE    GOJ-ERNOR 

Sir  Montagu. 
This  is  terrible  !     We're  besieged  ! 

Stella. 
Henry,  where  are  you  ? 

Carlton. 
Here,  at  your  side. 

Stella. 
My  hero ! 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke  and  Ethel  enter. 
Ethel. 
Captain  Carew  !     Captain  Carew  I 


Carew. 

Ethel ! 

Ethel. 

Ah  !  there  you 

are 

I 
Carew. 

Here,  and  safe. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
Come  back,  child,  come  back  I 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR        143 

Sir  Montagu  rt-//^/ Baverstock. 
Hush  !  [Mrs.  Bolingbroke  statisT^ 

Carlton  a>ul  Stella, 
Hush  !   [Mrs.  Bolinc^broke  starts  again  and  sinks 
in  c/iait\\ 

Carew. 
Here's  Rivers  Hyuig  to  us. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Get  him -in  !      Let  us  know  the  worst. 

Rivers  enters  in  great  excitement.     Sword  drawn. 
Rivers. 

The  attack  has  begun,  but  I  think  our  volleys  have 
silenced  it.  We  saw  an  immense  force  moving 
towards  us.  I  opened  tire.  Look  to  yourselves. 
We've  stopped  them,  I  hope,  but  we  can't  tell.  Our 
hre  has  killed  hundreds. 

Sir  Montagu. 
This  is  appalling. 

Carlton. 
But  how  could  vou  see  that  hundreds  were  killed  ? 


144       ^^-"^  EXCELLEXCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Rivers. 
I  couldn't.  I  saw  nothing.  It  was  pitch  dark. 
But  the  war  correspondent  of  the  Amandaland  Times, 
who  was  with  me,  says  he  saw.  Our  discipline  was 
perfect.  The  enthusiasm  and  patriotism  of  our  men 
superb.     Hark !     Listen ! 

[  Gallophig  of  a  horse  is  heard. 

Carlton. 
A  galloping  horse ! 

[Sentry  is  heard  challenging. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Who  is  it  ? 

Carew. 

\^As  soiuids get nearer.'\  I  believe  —  yes — no— ^ yes 
it's  Major  Kildare,  of  your  own  regiment,  Rivers. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Ah  !     Of  course  he's  arrived  in  the  nick  of  time 
with  reinforcements. 

Rivers. 
Reinforcements  !     What  reinforcements  ? 

Carew. 
Here  lie  is. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVEKXOR        i 


45 


KiLDARE. 

\Who  rushes  in  at  back?[  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir, 
but  where  is  Captain  Rivers  ?  Oh  1  there  you  are  ; 
you  —  you 

Sir  Montagu. 
Kildare,  what  is  the  matter  ? 

KiLDARE, 

Matter,  sir  ?  I  come  here  to  reinforce  Captain 
Rivers,  and,  by  all  the  powers,  if  he  doesn't  fire 
volleys  at  me  1 

Carlton. 
What  ?     Were  you  the  enemy  ? 

Rivers. 

I  assure  you,  sir,  I  didn't  know.     We  thought  you 

were 

Kildare. 

Thought,    sir?     A    soldier    should    never    think  I 

\A  third  volley  is  heard.']     Ah  1    you're  at  it  again  1 

Stop  'em,  sir,  stop  'em  I 

[Exit  Rivers. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Carew,   the    military   arrangements    being    some- 


146       J/IS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

what  imperfect,  not  to  say  involved,  I  must  ask  you 
to  go  to  the  front  and  bring  me  absolutely  reliable 
information. 

Carew, 

I  am  ready,  sir.      \A  bugle  soumls  the  "  Cease Jire'* 

Ethei.. 
\l'hro7t.iing  her  anus  round  Carew's  neck^     No, 
no,  Charles  I 

Carlton. 
Ethel  I 

Mrs.   Bolingbroke. 
[y?w«^.]     My  child  1 

Stella. 
What  is  this  ? 

Sir  Montagu  <7//r/ Baverstock. 

What  is  this  ? 

Ethel. 

This  ?     That  he  is  going  to  face  the  enemy,  and 
I  love  him  1     We  are  engaged  1 

All. 

What  I 


jnS  EXCELLENCY   THE    GOVERXOR        147 

Carkw. 

It  is  true,  sir.      \Tfics  to  re/case  Iiiinself^    Darling, 
release  me. 

Ethki., 
\_Qi{ite  overcome  with  emotion. \      (!harles  1 

Carkw . 
\.Bravelyi\      Sweetheart,  lo\e  is  our  guide  \\\  days 
of  peace,  but  duty  is  our  pioneer  to-night. 

Ethel. 

\SiTiking  on  her  knees?^     My  hero  ! 

[Carew  kisses  her  hand  and  rushes  out  heroic- 
ally. 

Stella. 
\To  Carlton.]     Henry,  I  see,  I  feel,  I  know  that 
you,  too,  are  going  to  the  front. 

Carlton. 
Oh   no!     On   the   contrary,  I    do   not   intend   t«< 
desert  my  future  wife. 

Stella. 
My  true  hearted  Englishman  !  {^Falls  in  his 

arms.~\ 


,148       HIS  EXCELLENCY   TJIE    GOVERNOR 
Mrs.    BoLlNGBROKE. 

\Amazed^^     I    demand    a    solution  of    this    mon- 
strous exhibition. 

Carlton, 
Slie   is  joining  the  family,  Honoria.     Oblige  me 
by  kissing  her. 

Stella. 
My  sister  1 

[Mrs.  Bolingbroke  is  so  overwhelmed  with 
surprise  that  she  submits  to  a  kiss  jrom 
Stella. 

Mrs.  Bolingbroke. 
I  have  done  it,  but  never  again, 

[Collapses  on  couch. 

Carlton. 
It's  terrible  to  think  that  hundreds  have  been 
killed. 

Kildare. 

That  is  a  slight  exaggeration.     One  bullet  hit  the 
ammunition-cart  mule. 

Stella. 
No  one  dead  ? 

Kildare. 

No,  nor  even  wounded. 


HIS  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR        i 


4y 


Carlton. 
You  see,  their  rifles  are  of  the  new  pattern. 

[Sentry  is  heard  challenging. 

KiLDARE. 

There's  some  one  else  galloping  up. 

Carlton. 

Who  is  it  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 

Bless  my  soul !     Fresh  complications  I 

♦ 

Kildare. 

It's  Carew  returning. 

Carew  enters  hurriedly  and  out  of  breath. 

Carew. 
An  orderly  has  galloped  up  with  the  news  that 
the  rising  is  over.     In  fact,  it  never  took  place. 

'  [Ethel  rushes  to  him. 

All. 
Never  took  place  ? 

Sir  Montagu. 
Turn  up  the  lights. 


150        HIS   EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

Carew. 
It  seems,  sir,  the  natives,  hearing  Mr.  Carlton 
had  arrived  as  an  emissary  of  the  Great  White 
Queen,  decided  to  assemble  as  a  tribute  of  loyalty. 
It  was  night,  and,  under  the  belief  that  the  demon- 
stration was  hostile,  the  troops  were  called  out  and 
opened  fire. 

Sir  Montagu. 
Good  heavens  ! 

Carew. 
But,  fortunately,  the  General  explained  that  our 
fire    had    merely  been    a    salute    in    Mr.    Carlton's 
honour,  and,  incredible  as  it  may  seem,  this  expla- 
nation was  accepted. 

Sir  Montagu. 
This  is  an  immense  relief. 

Carlton. 
We  now  perceive  the  advantage  of  uncompromis- 
ing firearms.     I  shall  not  fail.  Sir  Montagu,  to  re- 
port your  able  statesmanship  to  the  proper  quarter. 

Sir  Montagu. 
I  have  but  done  my  duty,  and  your  co-operation 
has  been  of  the  greatest  assistance. 


n/S  KXCKIJ.EXCY    /•///•;    GOJ'ERXOR        i^i 

Carlton. 
Cable  to  Downing  Street  that,  despite  ill-health,  I 
Avas  able  to  devote  my  energies  to  the  suppression 
of  the  rebellion. 

\A  Band  is  heard  i/i   the  distance  playing  a 
rousing  march. 

Sir  Montagu. 
[  With  deep  nte/anch(dy.'\      Baverstock  ! 

Baverstock. 

\^DejectedIy.'\     Sir !  —    - 

Sir  Montagu. 

We'll  hack  down  the  aloes  to-morrow. 

\Cheering  is  heard  in  distance. 

Baverstock. 
Yes,  sir. 

Carlton. 

Stella,  look,  our  defenders  ! 

\They  are  looking  at  the  Soldiers,   who   are 
heard  inarching,  amid  cheers. 

Stklla. 
Brave  fellows!     Brave  fellows  I 


'A 

a 

152       J/j'S  EXCELLENCY    THE    GOVERNOR 

V  Carew. 

Ethel,  listen  !     Our  wedding  march. 

Ethel.  ' 

My  soldier  husband ! 

[Ethel  and  Carew  embrace  fervently,  as  do 
Carlton  and  Stella.  Loud  cheering  and 
crash  from  the  Band  as 

THE    CURTAIN    FALLS. 


UC  SQ\r'-^'-'.  -■ 


A  A  001   429  - 


